Police hunt prowlers caught on camera at Mid-Wilshire home

Los Angeles police are searching for two suspects caught on home security video lurking in a Mid-Wilshire backyard late Friday while the homeowner and her children were inside, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The episode reflects persistent anxiety over residential security in the Los Angeles area, where home burglaries have rattled neighborhoods even as city officials report a recent drop in theft citywide — a trend Southern California communities, including those in Orange County, are closely watching.

The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Friday near Wilshire Boulevard and Mullen Avenue, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Security footage showed two individuals dressed in black moving through the property's backyard. Officers who responded to the scene found no signs of forced entry or evidence of an actual break-in, but investigators said the behavior was consistent with a burglary attempt or a reconnaissance mission ahead of a future theft.

Homeowner Peje Kharrazi said she was inside with her children when she spotted the intruders and confronted them directly.

"Very frightening situation, especially when you have children. Even before it was... they would come when you knew you weren't home. And now, they don't even care if you're home or not home," Kharrazi said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Mayor Karen Bass recently announced that residential burglaries across Los Angeles had dropped 30 percent over the past 30 days, with more than 100 arrests recorded citywide. Despite that progress, the Mid-Wilshire incident suggests some suspects are growing bolder, targeting homes even when occupants are present.

Police have not announced any arrests in connection with Friday's incident and are continuing their investigation. Detectives are reviewing additional security footage from the surrounding area.

Los Angeles police urged Mid-Wilshire residents to check their home security systems and report any suspicious activity immediately to the LAPD.