It was an unfortunate event but one that shouldn’t have been completely unexpected.
That’s because crime rates in the area are sky-high and have been for some time.
Now Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was just the victim of the same crime for a second time.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is no stranger to being victimized by criminals.
On that score, at least, she understands the plight of so many of her fellow citizens, given the rampant criminal activity in the city.
On Sunday, the mayor’s official residence was the scene of a break-in.
The kicker is that this is the second time this has happened in just three years.
According to the Los Angeles Times, during her 2022 campaign for mayor, two men stole a pair of handguns from her Baldwin Vista home.
Patricio Munoz and Juan Espinoza both wound up in prison after pleading no contest last year to burglary and grand theft of a firearm.
Neighbors were surprised by the most recent break-in on Sunday.
One nearby resident told KTLA-5, “It’s got a fence, a gate, all the way around. I’m sure there are cameras and there’s usually a lot of presence around the house.”
According to a statement released by the mayor’s office, Bass and her family “were not injured and are safe. The Mayor is grateful to LAPD for responding and arresting the suspect.”
Social media users: mayor brings this on herself because of her policies
While not wishing the mayor any harm, some on social media were less sympathetic than would normally be expected in a situation like this.
That’s because an argument can be made that the mayor’s own policies directly contribute to crimes such as that which occurred at her residence over the weekend.
The social media account End Wokeness wrote on X, “Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass just had her house burglarized today. Again. I feel zero sympathy for any politician who supported policies to “CUT THE PRISON POPULATION IN HALF” (bail reform).”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass just had her house burglarized today. Again.
I feel zero sympathy for any politician who supported policies to "CUT THE PRISON POPULATION IN HALF" (bail reform). pic.twitter.com/DLxDNOBSIz
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 22, 2024
Kevin Dalton echoed that sentiment, writing, “Karen Bass’ home broken into (again). I wonder how Karen will feel about the intruder immediately being released on no cash bail.”
Karen Bass’ home broken into (again).
I wonder how Karen will feel about the intruder immediately being released on no cash bail. pic.twitter.com/Zh4f3Vcwu3
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) April 21, 2024
In response to the news story about the break-in, Elon Musk chimed in with, “Robbery in LA is out of control.”
Robbery in LA is out of control
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 22, 2024
Suspect is a career criminal
The suspect was later identified as 29-year-old Ephraim Matthew Hunter.
Hunter is alleged to have smashed a window to gain access to the Getty House around 6:40 a.m., while Bass and her family were home.
According to jail records from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, he was being held on $100,000 bail.
Hunter is no stranger to illegal activity.
He was accused of beating a man with a hammer inside a van in Norfolk County, Massachusetts in 2015.
Hunter was convicted of multiple charges and spent seven years in prison.
Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León designated $100,000 in discretionary funds “to cover LAPD overtime costs for foot patrols” in January.
Nonetheless, earlier this month, KTLA-5 reported that break-ins continue to plague the city despite the additional funding.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any updates to this ongoing story.
