Investigators cracked a youthful burglary ring that preyed on Hollywood’s rich and famous, authorities told the Associated Press. A suspect turned informant, Nicholas Prugo, told police that 19 year-old Korean American Rachel Jungeon Lee was the “driving force” in the thefts, motivated by a desire to own the designer clothes and jewelry of celebrities. According to a police search warrant, Prugo told detectives that Lee would suggest a target, then Prugo would trawl the Internet for information about where they lived and when they would be away from home. Lee and Prugo were apparently part of a group of at least six that stole from October 2008 until September. Prugo said they removed cash, narcotics and thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. The four others, most between the ages of 18 and 20, have been charged with felony burglary.
