Warrant details alleged burglars' celeb loot
LOS ANGELES — Police seized dozens of diamond rings, high-end shoes, bags, guns and drugs from the homes of three people suspected of burglarizing celebrities' Los Angeles residences, search warrant records show.
Louis Vuitton and Chanel purses, dozens of pieces of gold and diamond jewelry and electronics were just some of the items police seized last month on raids at the suspects' homes.
In all, three women and two men are charged with breaking into the Hollywood Hills homes of celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom, Paris Hilton, Megan Fox and Rachel Bilson. The targeted homes sit on both sides of the Hollywood Hills, where many of Los Angeles' wealthy and famous live.
Police were seeking a third man, Jonathan Ajar, who was charged with 10 felonies after numerous drugs and weapons were found during the warrant searches. The records state Ajar is a convicted felon who is not allowed to have any firearms.
Court records show he was convicted of a federal cocaine distribution charge in Wyoming in 2002.
The records generally do not link the various items found to the stars they were allegedly stolen from. A 9mm gun found at Ajar's house was registered to actor Brian Austin Green, who authorities have said was targeted by thieves along with Fox, his girlfriend.
Search warrants also were served at the homes of Alexis Neiers, who is charged with breaking into Bloom's home, and Diana Tamayo, who is charged with burglaries of the residences of Lohan and "High School Musical" actress Ashley Tisdale.
A computer, hard drive, and several rings and necklaces were seized at Neiers' home. A search of Tamayo's house turned up the Louis Vuitton and Chanel purses, as well as shoes, high-end makeup and perfume.
Also charged are Courtney Ames, Roy Lopez Jr. and Nicholas Prugo, who faces seven felony counts of residential burglary. He is suspected in several of the break-ins, including those at the homes of Lohan, Green, Hilton, Bilson and "The Hills" star Audrina Patridge.
The suspects range in age from 18 to 27. All of those charged have been ordered to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court for arraignment later this month. Attorneys for Prugo and Neiers have downplayed their role in the burglaries.
Court and jail records do not indicate whether the other suspects have attorneys, and attempts to reach them for comment have been unsuccessful.
Police said Rachel Lee, 18, is a suspect but prosecutors have declined to press charges against her pending further investigation.
A judge sealed a large portion the search warrant affidavit, which would explain in greater detail why police suspect the group of the burglaries and possibly what was stolen from each home.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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