Vikram
Lena Waithe, the Emmy-winning actress and comedian, became the latest victim of a smash-and-grab burglary at her Los Angeles mansion last week. Thieves made off with $200,000 worth of jewelry after breaking a window while Waithe was out of town. Waithe is best known for her roles in Master of None and The Chi, and for being the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing.
Table of Contents
Lena Waithe in the acclaimed Netflix series Master of None
Waithe, 38, has been a rising star in Hollywood since she co-wrote and co-starred in the acclaimed Netflix series Master of None, which earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2017. She made history as the first black woman to receive the award, and delivered a powerful speech that celebrated her identity and inspired others to embrace their differences.
Waithe has also created and produced several other shows, such as The Chi, a drama about life in the South Side of Chicago; Boomerang, a reboot of the 1992 film starring Eddie Murphy; and Twenties, a comedy about a queer black woman and her friends in Los Angeles. She has also appeared in movies such as Ready Player One, Queen & Slim, and Bad Hair. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative voices in the entertainment industry, and has been named among Time’s 100 Most Influential People and The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100.
Waithe’s success and fame, however, also made her a target for criminals who prey on celebrities. On the night of January 10, 2024, while Waithe was away on a business trip, a group of burglars broke into her mansion in the Hollywood Hills and stole a large amount of jewelry from her bedroom. The thieves smashed a window to the back of the house and ransacked the room, where they found a safe containing Waithe’s prized possessions. The safe was reportedly not bolted to the floor, and the burglars were able to carry it away with them.
The stolen jewelry included rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches, some of which were custom-made or had sentimental value. Among the items were a diamond ring that Waithe had given to her fiancée, Alana Mayo, when she proposed to her in 2018; a Rolex watch that she had received as a gift from her mentor, Ava DuVernay; and a gold chain that she had worn at the Emmy Awards. The total value of the jewelry was estimated at $200,000, but Waithe said that the loss was more than monetary.
The burglary was discovered by one of Lena Waithe staff members the next day
The burglary was discovered by one of Waithe’s staff members the next day, who found the front door unlocked and called the police. The staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said that he was shocked and scared when he saw the mess in the bedroom. “It looked like a tornado had hit the place. There were clothes and papers everywhere, and the safe was gone. I knew something was very wrong,” he said.
The police arrived at the scene and collected evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, and security footage. They also interviewed Waithe’s neighbors, who said that they did not hear or see anything suspicious that night. One neighbor, who identified herself as Mrs. Lee, said that she was surprised that the burglars were able to break in without triggering the alarm system. “This is a very secure neighborhood. We have cameras and guards and everything. I don’t know how they got in and out so fast,” she said.
The police are investigating the burglary and reviewing the security footage from Waithe’s home and the surrounding neighborhood. They have not released any information on the suspects or their vehicle, but they believe that the thieves are part of a larger network that operates across the city. “This is not an isolated incident. We have seen a pattern of similar burglaries targeting celebrities in the past few months. They are very organized and sophisticated. They use social media and online databases to track the whereabouts and valuables of famous
The investigation into the burglary is still ongoing
The investigation into the burglary is still ongoing, and no arrests have been made so far. The police are asking anyone with information or tips to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously. They are also warning celebrities and other high-profile individuals to be vigilant and cautious about their security and privacy. They advise them to install alarms, cameras, and locks on their homes, and to avoid posting their location, travel plans, or valuables on social media.
Waithe has reportedly increased her security measures and hired a private investigator to help recover her jewelry. She has also received support and sympathy from her fans, friends, and colleagues, who have expressed their outrage and sadness over the incident. Some of them have also donated to a charity that Waithe supports, called The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and
