Lock up your valuables because thieves abound

Not too long ago I watched The Bling Ring, a movie written and directed by Sofia Coppola. The movie is based on the true story of a group of teenagers that broke into celebrities’ homes in Hollywood Hills and stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry, clothing, shoes, watches and other items from 2008-2009. 

The Bling Ring, also known as the Hollywood Hills Burglars, carried out a string of burglaries. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom and Paris Hilton were targets. 

What I couldn’t believe was how easy it was for the five teenagers to break into the celebrities’ homes. Apparently, they knew a website that gave addresses to celebrity homes. The group also had some knowledge of the layout of each home as well. This made me wonder if it was that easy for them to break into celebrity homes, what can I do to secure my home. I worry sometimes when I know I’m going to be away for a few days. 

Of course, some of the celebrities were dim-witted like Paris Hilton. Hilton actually left the key to her home under the door mat. It turned out the burglar didn’t need the key because the front door to Hilton’s home was actually left unlocked. Her home was broken into multiple times by the same group and she didn’t realize she had been robbed numerous times until much later. 

Some of the celebrities didn’t have enough sense to add a security system to their homes. Once the celebrities heard of the Bling Ring, they started adding security systems. 

Orlando Bloom and Audrina Patridge were a couple of celebrities that actually had security cameras. Footage of a couple of the Bling Ringers were caught on camera. 

Rachel Bilson was outraged when she found out about Coppola making a film on the notorious group. She was robbed five different times. Bilson said the group stole some of her Chanel bags. 

Five Bling Ring members were arrested and put in prison after stolen items, narcotics and firearms were recovered from their homes. Rachel Lee was the alleged ring leader of the group. Lee was indicted on two counts of first-degree residential burglary, two counts receiving stolen property, and one count conspiracy for her role in the burglaries. She was sentenced to four years in a state prison. Nick Prugo was a member of the Hollywood Hills Burglars. He was indicted on seven counts of first-degree residential burglary and one count conspiracy for his role in the break-ins. Prugo was sentenced to two years in a state prison after a plea deal. 

Look at what happened at the Jackson County Services Building. Nobody would expect someone to break into there and steal a bunch of stuff. It just goes to show that it could happen anywhere. 

After one reads all of this, I hope they realize their belongings are not 100 percent safe unless kept properly secured in their homes or in their vehicles. I know there are people out there that do leave their belongings in an unlocked vehicle. I can tell you right now just because this is a small town, it is not safe keeping valuables in an unlocked vehicle. After months of typing up the police reports, I have noticed a number of reports of items being stolen from unlocked vehicles in Jackson County. Also, do not leave your valuables out in the open where everyone can see them. 

When you go on vacation do not make a big announcement that you are away from your home on Facebook. Some people have been robbed because someone saw they were away on Facebook or on some other social media outlet. 

Hopefully, people will be smarter about leaving their valuables behind after watching The Bling Ring.