The Beverly Hills Heist: Inside One of the Most Audacious Burglaries in U.S. History
In the heart of Beverly Hills, where Bentleys glide past manicured palms and privacy is a prized currency, a series of high-profile burglaries shattered the illusion of safety for some of the city’s most famous residents. This wasn’t just crime—it was a coordinated campaign, executed with the precision of a heist film and the arrogance of criminals who thought they were untouchable.
The Setup: An Unlikely Crew
In late 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department began noticing a pattern. Wealthy homes across Beverly Hills, Woodland Hills, and other affluent LA suburbs were being hit in eerily similar ways. Items stolen were always high value—Rolex watches, diamond jewelry, cash, rare collectibles—but the homes were left largely undisturbed otherwise.
The perpetrators weren’t seasoned professionals from a shadowy underworld—they were young, local, and tech-savvy. Among them was Benjamin Eitan Ackerman, a man with no violent criminal record who posed as a real estate agent, attending open houses to scope out potential targets. He’d later unlock backdoors with keys copied from those visits—or simply return when the homeowners were known to be away.
Ackerman and his crew reportedly used public MLS listings, real estate lockbox access, and Instagram posts to build dossiers on their victims. According to LAPD investigators, their planning was cold and calculated. These weren’t crimes of opportunity—they were scheduled, studied, and executed like military ops.
The Targets: Celebrities and Titans of Industry
Among the most notable victims:
Rihanna: The global pop star’s Hollywood Hills home was burglarized while she was on tour.
Yasiel Puig: The then-Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder had over $500,000 in jewelry stolen from his Encino residence.
Christina Milian and her boyfriend, French pop star Matt Pokora, were also hit. The burglars struck twice within four days, even returning after the first burglary to steal more.
Another prominent victim was NFL player Robert Woods, whose Woodland Hills home was burglarized during a Thursday night game he was playing in. His security cameras captured masked individuals entering and fleeing, prompting a wider investigation.
The Takedown: Operation Hammer of Justice
Surveillance footage became the downfall of the group. LAPD’s Topanga Division launched “Operation Hammer of Justice,” assembling detectives and analysts who began comparing burglary reports across neighborhoods.
A break came when Ackerman was spotted on a Ring doorbell camera, casually strolling into a home he had previously visited during an open house. Wearing the same outfit from the recorded footage, he was later identified through cross-referenced social media posts and 7-Eleven security tapes.
A subsequent search warrant on Ackerman’s residence turned up a jaw-dropping cache: over 2,500 stolen items, including Cartier watches, rare artwork, designer handbags, firearms, and even personal documents like passports and Social Security cards.
Some of the stolen goods were found hidden in storage units rented under fake names—a classic criminal tactic that had seemingly gone unnoticed until the investigation ramped up. Investigators used serial numbers, engraving details, and victim statements to begin returning the property—though many pieces were never recovered.
The Fallout: A Cautionary Tale
Prosecutors charged Ackerman with 50 felony counts, including burglary, identity theft, and conspiracy. Though his trial faced delays, his arrest served as a major wake-up call.
“This wasn’t just about property crime,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Jorge Rodriguez. “It was about the erosion of trust. People let their guard down because they think security systems or gated communities make them untouchable. They don’t.”
What made this case particularly chilling was the level of comfort and familiarity the suspects developed with the homes they hit. They knew floor plans. They bypassed security systems. They returned to the same targets multiple times, confident that they wouldn’t be caught.
By the Numbers: FBI Statistics and Lessons Learned
According to the FBI's 2022 Crime in the United States report, more than 900,000 burglaries were reported nationwide, with residential properties accounting for 62.8% of all burglary offenses. The average loss per residential burglary: $2,661. The majority of residential burglaries happen during the day, and homes without visible security measures are up to 300% more likely to be targeted.
However, in affluent communities like Beverly Hills, that average skyrockets. And with the rise of social media oversharing, even everyday families can unknowingly invite risk.
Security Lessons from the Beverly Hills Heist
Here are the key takeaways for homeowners everywhere:
Skip the Open House (if possible): High-profile burglars like Ackerman use open houses to scope out alarm systems, entrances, and valuables.
Don’t Post While Away: Vacation pics, concert check-ins, or “Out of Office” captions tell criminals you’re not home.
Change the Locks: Especially after buying a home or if you've given access to vendors or contractors.
Secure the Perimeter: Motion-sensor lights, cameras with cloud storage, and real-time alerts are crucial.
Consider Professional Home Check Services: Whether it’s a rapid response after an alarm or periodic checks during travel, having boots on the ground can deter follow-ups or prevent escalation.
Real crime isn’t always messy. Sometimes, it walks through the front door in designer shoes with a smile.
