WEST HOLLYWOOD—Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have arrested two suspects in connection to a series of burglars. According to a news release from the LASD, on October 2, at approximately 2:00 p.m., detectives from the LASD, Major Crimes Bureau (MCB), Burglary-Robbery Task Force (BRTF), observed three suspects commit a residential burglary in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. The detectives spotted the suspects, who were in a grey Lexus RX350L luxury SUV, with paper plates, driving slowly through neighborhoods in the Hancock Park, Lafayette Square, and Mid-Wilshire areas.
Detectives saw the Lexus parked on the 1000 block of Keniston Avenue, in front of several homes. A short time later, detectives witnessed two suspects emerge from the front of the residence carrying property. The suspects quickly entered the vehicle, which picked them up as they briskly walked down the sidewalk. The Lexus drove away from the neighborhood.
As the suspects began to leave the area, BRTF detectives and uniformed BRTF tactical deputies coordinated with responding LAPD Wilshire patrol units to conduct a traffic stop of the Lexus. As LAPD units closed in, the suspect’s vehicle abruptly stopped in a shopping center. Two suspects quickly exited the car and discarded the property into nearby bushes. The driver of the Lexus, Toby Brazier, and a second suspect Corey White, were immediately detained by authorities. The third suspect was able to flee and avoid apprehension despite a containment and thorough area search conducted by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. Stolen property, including cash, foreign currency, jewelry, and credit cards, valued in excess of $5,000, was recovered from the discarded bag found in the bushes. The recovered property was confirmed to be stolen from the home the suspects were observed exiting. The suspects were arrested and booked at the LASD West Hollywood Station.
The suspects and their vehicle is the subject of an ongoing Residential Burglary Series investigation, and BRTF detectives believe these suspects are likely connected to numerous recent Los Angeles Countywide residential “Knock-Knock” type burglaries. Investigators are continuing the investigation into the third, unknown suspect, who is still at large.
Toby Brazier, 41, of Los Angeles was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC), and is currently held in custody with a bail of $1,000,000. Prior to his arrest, he was out of custody “on bond” from a June 2017, residential burglary arrest in West Los Angeles. He was previously arrested for residential burglary and bank robbery. He is a third strike offender and could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is believed to be an associate of a South Los Angeles criminal street gang.
Corey White, 30, of Los Angeles, was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC), and remains in custody with a bail of $1,000,000. He was out on custody “on bond” when arrested due to his involvement in June 2018, for a residential burglary arrest in the Mid-City area. He has a long criminal history including convictions for residential burglary, weapons violations, and conspiracy. He is a third strike candidate and could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is a documented South Los Angeles criminal street gang member.
The LASD Major Crimes BRTF works closely with most Southern California agencies, in its mission to identify, investigate, and arrest organized burglary and robbery suspects.
The LASD MCB BRTF was formed over eight years ago to combat the increasing trend of organized crews who are committing daytime residential burglaries. Known as “Knock-Knock” burglars, these crews, often formed by gang members, utilize high-end luxury vehicles and rental cars to blend in to middle class and affluent neighborhoods where they break into homes and businesses, ransacking and stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry, and weapons. The MCB BRTF works in support of all LASD station’s detective bureaus, as well as other Southern California law enforcement agencies.
Residents should contact 911 if a life threatening emergency is detected and/or their local police business line if a suspicious person or vehicle is observed. The MCB BRTF can be contacted via e-mail at BRTF@LASD.org or via phone at (562) 946-7187, for tips, questions, or concerns.
Authorities are looking for additional victims who have details or suspect they were victimized by the two suspects and their Lexus vehicle. The vehicle is a 2018 Lexus RX 350L, dark gray “Lexus Santa Monica” paper plates. “South Bay Lexus” paper plates were recovered inside the vehicle.
