A gang of wealthy teenagers stand accused of going on a year-long crime rampage through the Hollywood Hills, stealing millions of dollars in valuables from celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Orlando Bloom.
(Gang members outside Lindsay Lohan's home)
The group allegedly would find celebrities' addresses via star maps and the internet as well as property photos and schedules online then plot the robberies, People magazine reports.
The alleged ringleader, 18-year-old Rachel Lee, was arrested in Las Vegas at her father's home late last week, TMZ.com reports.
Police reportedly seized laptop computers, nude photographs, more than $20,000 in cash, a Korean passport and marijuana.
TMZ said cops also found items linked to the alleged crimes, such as a hat belonging to Lindsay Lohan and jeans belonging to Rachel Bilson as well as partially nude photos that were connected to Paris Hilton.
Earlier this week Lee's alleged accomplices — Courtney Ames, 18, Diana Tamayo, 19 and 18-year-old Nicholas Prugo — were arrested by police on suspicion of burglary, but only Prugo was formally charged.
The resulting media storm has swept in Playboy model Tess Taylor, whose 18-year-old sister Alexis Neiers was arrested in connection to the spree.
Neiers told TMZ.com co-accused Prugo was responsible for the crimes.
"I know for a fact Nick did all of these burglaries," she said.
"He did every single burglary, he told me this after the police let him go — Nick is blaming people trying to get the blame off himself."
Taylor, who is currently filming a reality television show, showed up at jail with a camera crew to film her sister and two of the other girls being bailed.
Among the heists were Paris Hilton's $2.1m jewellery robber late last year when the hotel heiress left her front door open and a break-and-enter at Lindsay Lohan's residence that resulted in more than $135,000 worth of cash and clothing being stolen.
The gang has also been linked to the robberies of celebrities Orlando Bloom, The Hills star Audrina Patridge, Rachel Bilson from The OC and television and movie star Hayden Panettiere.
All of the teenagers attended Indian Hills High School in the wealthy LA suburb of Calabasas.
Prugo has been charged with two counts of burglary over the Lohan and Partridge break-ins but freed on US$100,000 bail.
If found guilty of the crimes, he could face up to six years in prison.
- by nine news
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