In the wealthy neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, a group of crafty burglars devised a clever ruse. They donned construction workers’ reflective vests, thinking they could blend in and avoid suspicion as they scouted out homes. This group, later named the “Reflector Vest Crew” by the police, had their eyes set on over 30 residences in posh areas like West Los Angeles, Studio City, and West Hollywood. Their targets were high-end purses, glitzy jewelry, fancy watches, and cold, hard cash.

The burglars operated in a coordinated manner, using four or five cars with small teams of two or three people in each. They had a modus operandi where one of them would knock on a door, looking like an innocent construction worker. If the coast was clear and no one answered, the rest would slink through the backyard and break in. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were times when homeowners opened the door, foiling their plans.

Finally, their luck ran out. On June 27, during a break-in attempt in Studio City, three of them were caught red-handed. They were hauled off to the Van Nuys Jail. And it didn’t stop there. After searching the home of one of the suspect’s girlfriend, the police found a stash of stolen items and evidence related to the rented cars used in their heists. With this, the “Reflector Vest Crew” was slowly being dismantled, and the once seemingly elusive burglars were now facing the consequences of their actions.