A Los Angeles man who posed as a real estate agent to burgle luxury homes in Hollywood has been sentenced to 31 years in prison.

Benjamin Eitan Ackerman, 37, was sentenced on Wednesday for his involvement in the theft of over 2,000 valuable items, such as jewellery, designer purses, shoes, and artwork, from celebrity victims, including Usher and Adam Lambert. Some were found stashed in his house and a storage unit, while some were sold.

Ackerman would pretend to assist wealthy celebrities in selling their Los Angeles homes but ended up stealing millions from numerous targeted mansions with his co-conspirator, Jason Yaselli. He was also arrested, but his status is still unclear. According to prosecutors, Ackerman deposited between $5,500 (£4,501) and $20,000 (£16,369) into Yaselli’s account. 

In two years, from December 2016 to July 2018, Ackerman and his partner took approximately $5.5 million (£4.5 million) from homes. 

Arrested in January 2019, Ackerman was found guilty at the Los Angeles Superior Court last month. He pleaded no contest to some charges, including stealing from the home of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley. He also pleaded not guilty to three other counts, one of which involved a 2017 break-in at former NFL player Shaun Phillips’ home. 

How the pair worked

Ackerman and Yaselli would look through online home sale listings for their next victims. They targeted listings that provided plenty of images and a 3D tour that showcased the owners’ personal belongings, including the high-value ones.

In 2018, Usher and his then-wife, Grace Miguel, became targets of the duo when they listed their $4.2 million (£3.4 million) property near the Chateau Marmont on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. The listing featured numerous interior photos displaying their belongings.

Then, Ackerman targeted Adam Lambert’s upscale three-bedroom, 3,049-square-foot home. It was located above the Sunset Strip and listed for $3.35 million (£2.74 million). 

Punch Hutton, former Vanity Fair deputy editor, and her husband, film producer John Hodges, had their home targeted in December 2017. They became victims during an open house event in a wealthy neighbourhood shared with Usher and Lambert. 

Among the stolen items were jewellery, handbags, and Hodges’ Rolexes, resulting in a total loss of approximately $215,000 (£175,962) in valuables.

Hutton’s case became crucial for tracking down Ackerman after she found fingerprints and shoeprints that cops later used to determine the suspects.  

Dorit Kemsley and her husband Paul suffered the most substantial losses. Ackerman took over $2.5 million (£2.04 million) worth of artwork, jewellery, an extensive wine collection, wallets, and handbags from their $12.5 million (£10.2 million) mansion. Upon search, police recovered 150 items, including 43 purses, 30 bracelets, 25 necklaces, and a Social Security card.

Detective Jared Timmons of the Los Angeles Police Department credited Ackerman’s “slick” skills, as he convincingly posed as a real estate agent with nobody questioning his legitimacy. He could also easily disable security cameras and alarms and navigate technological barriers set to deter intruders.

“Cameras would simply go black until several hours after the burglary occurred,” Timmons said at the time of Ackerman’s arrest.

Ackerman’s crimes should particularly remind high-net-worth individuals to exercise caution and be mindful of the information they post online, as it can inadvertently expose their wealth and make them potential targets.

If you’d like to sell your high-value home, work with a reputable real estate agent with experience selling luxury properties. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or business associates.

To protect your valuables while your house is put on sale, install a security system with cameras, motion sensors, and alarms. This will help deter burglars and protect your property. 

For extra protection, consider the help of security companies like Marengo. They can create a customised plan, maximising the security of your property from potential criminals.