Teens used web to break in to celebrity homes

FOR a group of Hollywood-obsessed teens, entertainment news on the internet offered more than a glimpse into the lives of stars. It helped them break into celebrities’ homes.

The teens tracked the movements of stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton and broke into their houses, making off with millions of dollars in stolen possessions in a spree that lasted almost a year.

With a few clicks on the internet, police say, the suspects developed a wish list of designer clothes and jewellery, then raided the homes while celebrities were away.

“They thought it was fun, kind of an adrenaline rush,” Los Angeles police officer Brett Goodkin said.

“They would go in and steal the celebrity’s clothes and possessions, things they could never afford on their own.”

Police have arrested four young women and two men on suspicion of burglarising 10 homes in the Hollywood Hills. Victims included Orlando Bloom, Megan Fox and The Hills star Audrina Patridge.

Police said the teens scoured celebrity blogs and websites, looking for valuables, and then used the internet to find where the stars lived.

After watching a home, they would break into poorly protected properties through doors, windows and, in one case, a doggy door. The burglaries lasted from October 2008 until September.

Items stolen “run the gamut of high-end designer clothing”, Goodkin said. “You could pick a designer, and they would be among what was taken.”

Police displayed an evidence photograph depicting about $2 million (€1.34m) in stolen jewellery that was recovered and returned to Hilton. The thieves snatched dozens of items of flashy, gem-encrusted jewellery, then made off with it in the socialite’s Louis Vuitton bag.

Prosecutors have filed felony residential burglary charges against the thieves.