A number of recent home invasion robberies throughout Southern California have exhibited patterns that are leading police to suspect the crimes are linked to the same group of perpetrators.

NBC4 Los Angeles reports that up to a dozen of these violent crimes are being investigated as potentially having been carried out by a crime ring in the Southland area. The home invasion crimes involve similar methods and similar targets: jewelry and money.

Speaking to NBC4, Police Sgt. Chris Roosen described a crime scene at a recent home invasion in Torrance. “We had two subjects enter the residence, tie up both the victims with electrical ropes and ransack the area — and the loss is jewelry and money,” Roosen said.

A similar situation occurred in Long Beach, where an elderly couple was robbed at gunpoint in their home in broad daylight. One of the victims, who requested not to be identified, said in an interview with NBC4, “(The robbers) had us both on the ground. While one was ransacking the bedrooms for jewelry and money, the other one — couldn't locate any tape or rope — he started to cut the (electrical) cords to tie us up.”

But the string of crimes is not limited to robbery. The violence escalated when an attacker in a Covina home invasion, looking for jewelry, shot a 4-year-old girl and her father before fleeing the home. Both father and daughter were hospitalized and are expected to survive, reports CBS4.

Another related home invasion resulted in murder when in Glassell Park, robbers opened fire on the home's residents. According to CBS4, James Howe (42), director of “America's Next Top Model,” was killed and his wife was seriously wounded.

The home invasion crime spree has hit Glassell Park, Covina, Long Beach, Westchester, Sylmar, Antelope Valley and Victorville. At this point, it is unclear why the victims have been targeted and no arrests have been made in connection with the crimes.

Vitaly Sigal, a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, delivers aggressive defense representation for people who have been charged with violent crimes, homicide and more. If you are suspected of being part of a crime ring, you will need the assistance of an experienced defense attorney. To discuss the details of your case with Mr. Sigal, contact our office today.