Manhattan Beach Burglary Trend Involves Smashing Glass Doors
Mar 07, 2025 06:31PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
(Manhattan Beach Police block off 5th Street at Peck on March 5 following a burglary in the 1500 block of 5th Street.)
A recent burglary trend involving break-ins through glass patio doors and second-floor balcony doors in Manhattan Beach has residents seeking ways to prevent such intrusions.
In the past week alone, police have responded to burglaries in the 400 block of Chabela (shattered first- and second-floor glass doors), the 2700 block of Laurel (a shattered first-floor patio door), the 500 block of Marine Avenue (a broken back patio glass door), and the 1500 block of 5th Street (a shattered second-floor glass balcony door).
That follows a January 30 break-in in the 1200 block of 8th Street (a shattered second-story balcony door), and a February 6 break-in in the 1200 block of 3rd Street (a broken second-story balcony door).
At least two of the second-story break-ins involved intruders using patio furniture and other items to climb up to the second floor in the back of the house.
When asked about protecting homes from these kinds of break-ins, Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson told MB News that police recommend:
1) Removing ladders, patio furnishings, and other items that can be used to reach the balconies from side yards;
2) Alarming first and second floor windows and doors as a part of a home
security system, as well as having an audible alarm as part of the
system; and
3) Locking and securing all gates and doors, etc.
Furthermore, one resident whose home was broken into recommended 1) A wired (as opposed to wireless) security system, as burglars have been known to jam the wireless systems; and 2) Applying transparent security film to first-floor windows and glass doors, as it holds smashed glass together and requires cutting to get through, frustrating burglars who want to get in and out quickly.
East Manhattan Beach Troubled By Break-Ins
Given that a majority of the recent break-ins have occurred in East Manhattan Beach, neighbors last month organized a community conversation with police about the break-ins.
Police said that there appear to be consistent themes to many of the recent burglaries:
- Burglaries occur commonly between 4:00-9:00pm
- Typically they happen on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Wednesday
- Small "teams" arrive in a high-end vehicle, such as a Mercedes, which may wait outside or circle the block
- Criminals make their way quickly to the backyard, and improvise a way to enter at the second floor
- If a door is locked, they break glass and enter
- They are quick and strategic, spending no more than a couple of minutes inside, often rummaging the primary bedroom for valuables
- Some "teams" use sophisticated methods to disarm wireless home security systems, including wifi "jammers"
- The burglars are not interested in confrontation with residents, and can be turned away by noisy alarms or dogs
At the East Manhattan Beach event, police representatives said that MBPD has stepped up patrols, but many of those efforts involve
officers in undercover roles, not seen in squad
cars. "If you see them, they are doing it wrong," MBPD Lt. Kelly Benjamin told the group.
"The whole idea is you do not see the undercover officer."
To report any suspicious observations, residents are urged to call (310) 545-4566, the direct phone number for the Manhattan Beach dispatch team.
