Alleged Leader of Hollywood's 'Hillside Burglars' Arrested
Troy Corsby Thomas, the alleged leader of the "Hillside Burglars," was arrested and taken into custody Saturday, January 17, 2009. 'The Hillside Burglars' are believed to be a small burglary ring who have gone undetected for almost three years. They are responsible for around 150 break-ins worth a total of $10 million worth of cash, jewelry and other property.
The ring has hit some of Los Angeles' wealthiest and exclusive neighborhoods including Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills and the hills near Encino and Sherman Oaks. The ring singled out not just the rich, but the famous too, and usually attacked when residents were out of town.
A specialized crimes unit within the LAPD follwed Thomas for about a month and linked DNA evidence from one of the burglaries.
Among the alleged list of victims are Hollywood elite including Paris Hilton, former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin, and Clippers star Cuttino Mobley. The list of the rest of the victims has not been released.
LAPD believes there is a second leader out there as well as other accomplices and are continuing their search.
