Jada Pinkett Smith from Instagram

Earlier this week, actress Jada Pinkett Smith reported a burglary at her Los Angeles home after two men clad in hoodies attempted to break in by climbing onto her balcony while she was inside last Friday at 8 p.m.

According to sources, Pinkett Smith informed authorities that she had managed to scare off the burglars before they could enter her mansion. She speculated that they had believed her residence was unoccupied and eventually became frightened upon spotting the “Red Table Talk” host. Despite a prompt police response, the suspects had already fled and left no immediate leads.

Following the incident, deputies filed a report for attempted burglary and initiated an investigation into the incident. Whether Pinkett Smith had company at the time of the incident or was alone remains uncertain. With the reported amicable terms between Pinkett Smith and her husband, particularly after the Oscars incident, it is highly unlikely Will Smith was present during the attempted break-in.

Social media users shared mixed reactions to the incident. A user named @AjainieKing wrote on X that the attempted burglary had failed because Pinkett Smith scared off the intruders by jokingly threatening to disclose more about her and Will Smith’s personal affairs.

Meanwhile, some individuals expressed concern about what could have been a potentially more perilous situation. Some offered wishes for her recovery and safety following the incident.

“Wishing nothing but covering and safety upon Jada Pinkett Smith & her family,” another X user wrote. “The ways they’ve been targeted online and physically are horrifying. Home invasion is such a deep trauma.”

Burglary trend in LA

The motive behind the attempted break-in remains unclear. Investigations will continue to determine whether Pinkett Smith was specifically targeted or if this incident is part of a broader pattern of burglaries in affluent Los Angeles neighbourhoods.

Months ago, Pinkett Smith’s “Matrix” co-star Keanu Reeves faced a similar situation when burglars targeted his home in early December 2023. The Los Angeles Police Department found nothing unusual during the investigation, but officers returned hours later after an alarm had been activated. Security footage revealed that several individuals, clad in ski masks, had broken into the $7 million contemporary mansion through a window.

Then, in early January, filmmaker and “Master of None” star Lena Waithe’s Los Angeles home was burgled while she was away. The perpetrators broke in through her windows, taking $200,000 worth of jewellery from her mansion. The incident came to light the next day when one of her staff members found the door unlocked and alerted Waithe and the authorities.

Other recent victims include “Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun and Instagram model Abigail Ratchford. Lee’s LA home was burgled at the end of last month while he was away with his wife. It was unclear what the burglars took and how much they were worth. Meanwhile, Abigail Ratchford endured a home invasion during the New Year weekend, when three men reportedly broke into her Los Angeles residence while she was present.

Is the UK safe from burglary?

Although these incidents occurred in the US, that doesn’t mean the UK is safe from burglary. In the year ending March 2023, there were 191,490 police-recorded home burglaries across England and Wales, averaging 525 burglaries per day. The London metropolitan area reported the highest number of home burglaries with 37,466 incidents, and Greater Manchester trailed behind with 16,141 reports.

This means homeowners must stay vigilant in safeguarding their residences. One of the most efficient ways to keep safe from burglars is by employing the help of security firms like Marengo, who can identify a house’s security weaknesses and create a corresponding tailored security plan. With the ideal security plan, tools, and personnel, homeowners can worry less about falling victim to burglary.