Multiple burglaries have occurred in the Melrose area since Jan. 15. One suspect has been arrested. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division are investigating multiple burglaries and burglary attempts during the past week in the Melrose area. Police have arrested one suspect, but based on video and witness accounts, it appears the incidents have been committed by multiple perpetrators.

An attempted burglary was reported on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 3:55 a.m. in the 700 block of North Curson Avenue. A resident told police they were awakened by a window breaking on the side of their residence and heard multiple suspects. The victim screamed and the suspects fled in an unknown direction, police said.

Another attempted burglary occurred on Jan. 15 around 5:30 a.m. in the 700 block of North Las Palmas Avenue, in the neighborhood north of Melrose Avenue and east of Highland Avenue. The incident was captured on security video. Two male suspects entered the victim’s yard and attempted to pry off a board securing a previously shattered window. The victim, who was inside sleeping, woke up and started turning on lights. The suspects fled the location, heading north on Las Palmas Avenue toward Waring Avenue. The suspects were wearing dark clothing, masks and gloves, police said.

Detectives are also investigating a burglary that occurred on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. in the 800 block of North Sycamore Avenue in the Melrose area. Three male suspects smashed a rear window and entered a residence while an occupant was home. The suspects stole cash, a watch, shoes and a drone before the occupant confronted the suspects. The men fled through the same window that they entered the home. The victim told police the men were wearing dark clothing, masks and gloves.

On Friday, Jan. 17, around 6:45 a.m., a burglary occurred at a single-family home in the 400 block of North Arden Boulevard in the Larchmont area. A suspect or suspects shut off electrical power to the house, smashed a rear window and ransacked the residence, police said. The property stolen included watches. No suspect description was available.

A 22-year-old man was arrested for burglary on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 10:45 p.m. in the 500 block of North Gardner Street. Police said the suspect, Omar Charles, was responsible for three vehicle burglaries in the area earlier the same night. Investigators said Charles burglarized a parked vehicle at an apartment building on Gardner Street and stole property, including a remote control to the garage. The suspect went inside the garage and stole more property, and was seen by residents as he left, police said. The residents called police and officers arrested Charles a short time later.

Police said Charles has prior arrests for robbery, burglary, grand theft and assault, and is on probation for two previous burglary cases. He is currently being held without bail. Anyone with information is urged to call investigators  at (213)473-0476.