In a concerning incident recently reported in the San Gabriel Valley, a woman experienced a devastating car break-in that resulted in losses totaling around $20,000, including a $15,000 designer purse. The victim, known as Yifan, is the founder of an immigration office in Los Angeles. The incident took place on October 2 at approximately 3:50 PM in the parking garage of Golden World Plaza, located at 1029 E Valley Blvd in San Gabriel, which is home to several Chinese restaurants and offices, including Yifan’s own.
Yifan explained that she had been parking in the underground garage regularly due to her work. However, when she returned to her car at 4:30 PM that day, she was shocked to discover the rear window of her vehicle had been smashed and her belongings stolen. “I had hidden my valuable items under the front seat, thinking it would be hard for anyone to see them from the outside. I never expected they would still be stolen,” she lamented.
Among the stolen items were a classic Chanel handbag worth approximately $15,000, two pairs of sunglasses valued at $1,000, $3,700 in cash, as well as a selfie stick, cosmetics, and branded perfume. Yifan had taken precautions by placing her valuables in the car’s compartments and hiding them, yet they were still targeted by thieves.
Surveillance footage captured a black Nissan entering the garage around 3:50 PM, parking next to Yifan’s white Mercedes-Benz. The suspect swiftly broke the window and stole the items in roughly two minutes.
After the incident, Yifan filed a police report and shared both the suspect’s vehicle details and the surveillance footage. However, she expressed frustration over a lack of response from law enforcement, noting that more than ten days had passed without any update. In addition to the financial losses, important documents such as her car insurance policy, registration, and repair receipts were also taken. Yifan is now anxious about her safety and that of her family, fearing that the thief could access her home address and personal information.
Reflecting on her experiences, Yifan revealed that both her vehicles have been broken into over the past year, serving as a harsh reminder to never leave valuables in her car. She pointed out that the local security situation has deteriorated in recent years, and the tactics used by the suspect indicated they were likely a habitual offender, as they attempted to hide their license plate by using high beams during the crime.
