By Mary O’KEEFE

On May 24 a resident who owns a home in the 5300 block of Ocean View Boulevard reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept.-Crescenta Valley Station that when he arrived at his residence he discovered that the locks to the house and the yard gate had been changed. The resident had the property up for sale and had been living outside the area for several days. He had not been to his house since May 16.

There had been two open house showings at the residence – on May 17 and 18; however, no one except for the real estate agent had access to the property. 

While the homeowner was away he received a call from his gardener stating the gate to the backyard had been locked and he was unable to gain access. The 

homeowner then returned to his property and discovered that his keys did not work on any of the locks. He also discovered that his Ring camera had been removed from the front door area, the entry gate lock to the north side of his property had been replaced and the back dog door had been broken and removed. 

There was a security camera that was still in place. Deputies reviewed it and saw two male adults, the first wearing what appeared to be a grey shirt, blue jeans and a grey hat; the other man was wearing a black shirt, tan shorts and a black hat. One appeared to be carrying a power drill and other tools. Both men were seen walking away from the residence from the north side gate. The homeowner had not given anyone permission to be on his property. 

The day after the homeowner reported this incident, a man entered the lobby of the CV Sheriff’s Station and stated this was his second time to the station. The day before he had told LASD personnel at the front desk that he wanted to replace the locks of the residence that he “rightfully owned.” The deputy allegedly said he could change the locks if he was the legal owner of the property and had legal papers proving that ownership. The man said he did have the paperwork and he apparently changed the locks. However, on May 24 he drove past the property and saw the residence was occupied and so he came to the station. At the time he was unable to provide any legal documentation showing ownership of the property. 

He was advised by the deputy to get the needed paperwork and return to the station; as of press time he had not returned to the station. 

A detective from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station has been assigned to the incident.