COPS CATCH BURGLAR WITH THE GOODS THEFT VICTIMS IDENTIFY, RECLAIM JEWELRY AND MORE TAKEN FROM THEIR HOMES.

Byline: SUSAN ABRAM Staff Writer

SYLMAR -- A heap of stolen rings, bracelets and pins went back to their rightful owners Saturday, after officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Division arrested an area man on suspicion of burglarizing more than 30 homes in four months.

The burglar, who has not been identified because of a pending investigation, stole more than 100 pieces of jewelry and some electronics from homes in the northeast San Fernando Valley from March until August, said LAPD detective Martin Hernandez.

``This one lady was so happy because she had been collecting pins for years, and she was able to get them back,'' Hernandez said. ``This proves that even if you think that the chances of getting items back are slim, you should file a report because you never know what could happen.''

Hernandez said the burglar worked with an accomplice, who also has been arrested. The two targeted neighborhoods where there were few cars parked on the streets during daytime hours.

After knocking on the front doors of homes, the burglar then would break a window and take cash, jewelry and some electronics.

Some items also were recovered from area pawn shops, Hernandez said.

Six tables inside the LAPD's Mission Division were covered with the recovered stolen items Saturday.

By midday, most had been reunited with owners who had filed police reports and were able to identify the pieces.

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(1 -- 2) A total of 278 expensive pieces of jewelry, left and above, taken from Sylmar-area homes by a burglar this summer were displayed Saturday by Los Angeles Police Department Mission Division detectives so their owners could reclaim them. The burglar, whose name has not been released, is in custody, along with an accomplice, officers said.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News