Charlize Theron's Car Snatched in Latest LA Celebrity Crime Wave

Hollywood on High Alert: Burglars Target Celebrities Left and Right

The city of angels is turning into a city of thieves, with some of Hollywood's biggest stars falling victim to brazen burglaries. The latest to be hit is none other than Charlize Theron, who had her BMW stolen from her Los Angeles home earlier this week.

According to sources close to the LAPD, an individual managed to slip onto Theron's property through an open gate on Thursday afternoon. The suspect then proceeded to hotwire the actress's car, which just so happened to have the key fob left inside. It's a move that has left many in the industry scratching their heads - what kind of thief leaves the keys in the ignition?

The LAPD was able to track down Theron's car as part of their investigation into the theft, but the suspect remains at large. The "Mad Max" star is just the latest celebrity to be targeted by thieves in Los Angeles, with Tracee Ellis Ross and Brad Pitt also falling victim to break-ins in recent weeks.

Ross, who was out of town when her home was burglarized earlier this month, lost a staggering $100,000 worth of jewelry and handbags. The star's Los Angeles home was broken into on September 2, with thieves entering through a glass door. Police are still investigating the crime, but have obtained security footage from Ross' property.

Meanwhile, Brad Pitt's home in the Los Feliz neighborhood was burglarized back in June, with thieves targeting the actor while he was out of town promoting his racing drama F1 in Japan. The LAPD recently announced a major development in the investigation, arresting three people suspected of breaking into Pitt's home.

But here's the thing: police don't think these burglars are specifically targeting famous people. No, it seems they're just opportunistic thieves who know that celebrities often leave their homes unlocked and valuables on display. And with the rise of social media, it's easier than ever for would-be thieves to scope out a celebrity's schedule and plan their heist accordingly.

The latest break-in at Lionel Richie's home in Beverly Hills is a case in point. The 76-year-old singer was reportedly at home when a burglar broke in - but the security alarm on his property scared off the thief before they could steal anything. Police have arrested a man named Michael John Bond on suspicion of residential burglary, but formal charges haven't been filed yet.

It's not just celebrities who are being targeted, either. Teddi Mellencamp, the former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star, revealed that she was the victim of an attempted burglary earlier this summer. Thieves tried to break into her home, but were scared off by a security alarm installed by her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave's company.

And if you thought it couldn't get any worse, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's Beverly Hills mansion was broken into back in February while the couple was out of town. An intruder smashed a window to gain entry, but an employee on the property was able to chase them off.

It's clear that Los Angeles has a serious crime problem on its hands - and celebrities are not immune to it. As one insider told The Scholarly Note, "These burglars are like pros. They're sophisticated, they know exactly what they're doing. And they're getting bolder by the day."

So, who's next? Will these thieves continue to target A-listers left and right, or will the LAPD finally crack down on them? Only time will tell - but one thing is for sure: Hollywood is on high alert like never before.

What do you think is behind this surge in celebrity burglaries? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Sources:

• The Scholarly Note (exclusive reporting)
• LAPD officials
• Celebrity sources close to the investigation