A quiet night out turned into a nightmare for a Valley Village couple after their home was broken into and $100,000 worth of valuables were stolen.
Surveillance footage captured three masked intruders raiding the property and fleeing with high-value items, leaving the homeowners devastated and searching for answers.
Burglary Occurs While Couple Is Out for Dinner
On Nov. 21, Josh and Rose Michnowski stepped out for a simple Friday night dinner. During their absence, three suspects — believed to be two men and one woman — forced their way into the house and quickly gathered anything of value.
Items Taken From the Home
The burglars targeted:
- Rolex watches
- Jewelry and family heirlooms
- A 50-pound safe
- Childhood coin collection
- Additional valuables tucked into backpacks and tote bags
The suspects were seen leaving through a side alley around 8:30 p.m., carrying several filled bags.
Suspects Appeared to Be Prepared and Organized
Josh told KTLA that the break-in looked carefully planned, possibly for more than a week. The couple believes the suspects had been watching their movements beforehand.
How the Burglars Broke In
- Climbed to the second-floor balcony
- Forced open a deadbolt lock, likely using a screwdriver
- Moved swiftly through rooms ripping sheets and tossing cushions
On camera, the suspects can be heard speaking Spanish, complaining about the weight of the stolen safe and other items.
AirTag Helps Track the Stolen Safe
Fortunately, the couple had placed an AirTag inside their safe.
Its signal shows the safe is currently located near an apartment building or hotel in Koreatown.
However, police told them they cannot act yet because no vehicle description is available.
Josh expressed concern, saying the couple is eager for officers to follow the lead before the trail goes cold.
Impact on the Newlywed Couple
Josh and Rose, who recently bought their first home and are expecting their first baby, say the emotional loss outweighs even the financial damage.
Sentimental Items Gone Forever
Many stolen items were irreplaceable — including childhood keepsakes and family heirlooms.
“It was personal, invasive, and deeply upsetting,” Josh said. “The things may be material, but they mattered to us.”
LAPD Requests Public Assistance
Authorities are asking anyone with information or anyone who may have footage of the suspects’ vehicle to contact the LAPD North Hollywood Division at 818-754-8300.
This disturbing burglary highlights how quickly a normal evening can turn into a life-changing event. Although the couple tracked their stolen safe to Koreatown, the investigation is stuck without more clues.
As the newlyweds prepare for their first child, they hope justice will be served and that some of their sentimental possessions can still be recovered. Their story serves as a reminder for all residents to strengthen home security and report any suspicious activity.
