Serial Burglar Claimed more than 40 Victims

By Lookout Staff

Oct. 1 -- Police knew they had nabbed a serial burglar when Orange Eryn Battison was caught in the act after breaking into a garage on the 3100 block of Colorado Avenue Saturday afternoon.

What they didn't realize -- even after uncovering a carload of property near the crime scene tying the suspect to a series of recent burglaries -- was that she had claimed 44 victims during an 18-month crime spree that stretched from Santa Monica to Boyle Heights.

The extent of Battison's burglary spree only came to light after detectives from the Crimes Against Property Unit conducted a follow-up investigation, which included serving a search warrant at a Los Angeles storage facility, police said.

At the 10-foot by 11-foot storage space police found a large amount of property taken in other burglaries and related crimes.

"There was jewelry, clothing, art work, electronic equipment," said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman. "We found a victim dating back 18 months and as far as Boyle Heights.

"We realized what we got, and we said, 'Wow, we got more than we bargained for,'" Fabrega said.

Detectives, who are working closely with law enforcement officers throughout the county, have inventoried the stolen items and are preparing a viewing with the victims, which could take place in several weeks, police said.

It is too early to tell of the suspect sold any of the property.

Battison, 31, was arrested and booked at Santa Monica Jail for burglary, possession of methamphetamine and parole violation. No bail was set.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Sergeant Lowe at 310.458.8453 or Detective Bambrick at 310.458.8932.