Lake Balboa family comes home to ‘trashed’ house and $25K worth of items stolen

Thieves hit a home in Lake Balboa on Friday night, making off with at least $25,000 worth of valuables, police said.

It happened on Shoshone Avenue at around 9:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police say the thieves got away with $15,000 in jewelry and at least $10,000 worth of other items.

The homeowner told NBC Los Angeles he got home with his wife and baby and found their glass back door smashed.

“I open the door. I realize it’s unlocked. I looked inside — the house is completely trashed,” he said. “I told my wife, ‘Get in the car.’ I got in the car with her. We were just really freaked out. We didn’t even want to go inside and check it out until the police came.”

Security cameras did not record the incident.

“The police said they (the suspects) most likely shut off the WiFi before coming in,” the homeowner said.

A thief took about $25,000 worth of items after breaking into a home in Lake Balboa. Annette Arreola reports for Today in LA on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Since April 10, NBCLA is tracking at least 21 reported break-ins at homes in and around the San Fernando Valley.

According to the LAPD, as of last Saturday, reported burglaries in the Valley are down 42% compared to the same time last year. Still, police and the mayor’s office say they’re increasing patrols in the Valley to crack down on break-ins.

Investigators say they don’t have a description of the thieves.

“The first thing that goes through my mind is that I’m blessed because my wife and son are safe,” the homeowner said. “But we’re also kind of shocked and scared.”