In a significant breakthrough, Los Angeles police have arrested four teenagers linked to a series of high-profile burglaries, including a break-in at actor Brad Pitt's residence. The suspects, aged between 16 and 18, are believed to be part of a street gang that has targeted the homes of celebrities and professional athletes across the city.

Sophisticated Methods and High-Profile Targets

The investigation, which began after a June burglary at Pitt's Los Feliz home, revealed that the suspects employed advanced techniques to carry out their crimes. According to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, the gang used Wi-Fi jammers to disable home surveillance systems and monitored social media to track the whereabouts of their targets. The break-in at Pitt's home involved three masked individuals scaling a perimeter fence and shattering a window to gain entry. The actor was away promoting his latest film, "F1," at the time.

A String of Celebrity Burglaries

The suspects are also believed to be responsible for burglaries at the homes of other celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and former LA Football Club striker Olivier Giroud. The police have not disclosed the specific items recovered from the suspects' homes but confirmed that numerous stolen goods were retrieved.

Security Risks for Public Figures

Chief McDonnell highlighted the growing trend of criminals using technology to exploit the public profiles of celebrities. He warned that social media activity could inadvertently provide thieves with information about a person's location, making them vulnerable to such crimes. "We don't really give enough thought to... [while] we want our friends to know where we are and what we're doing, you're telling everybody else then who may be looking to exploit your situation," McDonnell stated.