HOLLYWOOD, CA - A woman in her seventies was strangled during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills, and authorities are still searching for the suspects.
The woman, identified by her neighbors as Margaux Mirkin, is the heiress to the Budget Rent-A-Car fortune, KTLA reported. A group of masked men broke into the home on the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.
Upon arriving at the scene, police with the Los Angeles Police Department learned that an elderly resident had been assaulted and strangled during the incident, according to NBC4.
The woman, later identified as Mirkin, was taken to the hospital for treatment and later released. The suspects, described as at least two men wearing hoodies and masks, took off in a white Honda Accord, police said. They took cash and jewelry, but it is not clear how much was taken.
Neighbors said some of the pieces were given to the woman by her late husband, who died in a Laurel Canyon house fire less than two years ago.
A neighbor, who wished to be identified only as Chris, called the house a "perfect target" due to the lack of street lights and neighbors. "It’s a dark street. It’s at the top. Dead-end street. Not many people on it," he said. "So, of course, it’s like the perfect street for a break-in."
Other neighbors were shocked, ABC7 reported. "That's an absolute shock. I'm stunned by that," neighbor Lee Bridges said. "Normally, the only crime issue we have in this neighborhood is people breaking into mailboxes or cars, so this is absolutely new, and I'm upset about this."
Mirkin was described as extremely private. "She's one of our normal neighbors. A senior having her retired life," Bridges said. "I hope she knows we are all going to be looking out for her and that we wish her the best. We're going to be checking up on her, making sure she's okay."
LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division has taken over the investigation. Police have not yet confirmed if it was a targeted attack. The violent break-in is the latest in a string of recent burglaries and robberies across Southern California and the San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass last week ordered additional police patrols in parts of the valley amid heightened concerns among residents and business owners.
The woman, identified by her neighbors as Margaux Mirkin, is the heiress to the Budget Rent-A-Car fortune, KTLA reported. A group of masked men broke into the home on the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.
Upon arriving at the scene, police with the Los Angeles Police Department learned that an elderly resident had been assaulted and strangled during the incident, according to NBC4.
The woman, later identified as Mirkin, was taken to the hospital for treatment and later released. The suspects, described as at least two men wearing hoodies and masks, took off in a white Honda Accord, police said. They took cash and jewelry, but it is not clear how much was taken.
Neighbors said some of the pieces were given to the woman by her late husband, who died in a Laurel Canyon house fire less than two years ago.
A neighbor, who wished to be identified only as Chris, called the house a "perfect target" due to the lack of street lights and neighbors. "It’s a dark street. It’s at the top. Dead-end street. Not many people on it," he said. "So, of course, it’s like the perfect street for a break-in."
Other neighbors were shocked, ABC7 reported. "That's an absolute shock. I'm stunned by that," neighbor Lee Bridges said. "Normally, the only crime issue we have in this neighborhood is people breaking into mailboxes or cars, so this is absolutely new, and I'm upset about this."
Mirkin was described as extremely private. "She's one of our normal neighbors. A senior having her retired life," Bridges said. "I hope she knows we are all going to be looking out for her and that we wish her the best. We're going to be checking up on her, making sure she's okay."
LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division has taken over the investigation. Police have not yet confirmed if it was a targeted attack. The violent break-in is the latest in a string of recent burglaries and robberies across Southern California and the San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass last week ordered additional police patrols in parts of the valley amid heightened concerns among residents and business owners.
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