17 HOMES HIT IN GEM THEFTS.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

Burglars with a taste for expensive jewelry have stolen $2 million in gems from more than two dozen exclusive homes in the Conejo Valley, authorities said Monday.

Since January, the thieves have hit 17 homes in gated and open neighborhoods in Hidden Hills, Calabasas and Westlake Village, and 10 homes in the tony North Ranch area of Thousand Oaks. The last burglary was reported in August in Westlake Village.

``Lots of the areas are nice areas - low-crime areas - so people feel safe,'' said Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Mark Borges. ``There's a false sense of security and that, unfortunately, makes for easy picking when you are a burglar.''

In most cases, sliding doors were pried open or windows broken in the rear of the houses, which generally back up to open space, Borges said. The burglaries generally took place around dinner time, when residents were out for the evening.

``The burglar knows their routine or is keeping an eye on them and knows when they come or go,'' Borges said. ``He's very neat, methodical and knows the expensive jewelry from the inexpensive jewelry.

``The method of operation is all so similar that we believe it's the same suspect or suspects.''

In a few of the burglaries, small safes have been removed, leading Borges to believe that more than one person is involved.

Even in a gated community, people such as construction workers, housekeepers, gardeners and window cleaners can gain entrance, Borges said.

``A lot of people have access to gated communities, and sometime people aren't aware these could be potential burglars,'' he said.

Although the high-dollar thefts began in January, investigators are looking into the possibility a couple of prior burglaries may be the work of the same suspects, he said.

Borges' advice to residents is to be suspicious of strange vehicles and of people coming to the door selling things at odd hours.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at [phone].