Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security scare: Sussexes get warning for Montecito home amid spate of burglaries while couple was in Jamaica
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been issued a chilling security warning after a wave of burglaries rocked their upscale Montecito community.
The Duke and Duchess, who were in Jamaica at the time of the recent crimes for the premiere of the new Bob Marley film, were warned by police that they could be the next target of an organized gang plaguing the area.
The latest burglary took place on Wednesday at a property just a five-minute drive from the Sussexes' $15 million mansion in Montecito, California, with the gang known to target safes.
Their neighborhood, which also includes residents Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, received an alarming warning from Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Officer Rachel Zick, while community group The Montecito Association offered tips on the safety of their home.
It is far from the first security crisis at the couple's California estate, as in July 2022 it was reported that their mansion had been the subject of six burglary alerts in the first fourteen months of their move to America.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been issued a chilling security warning after a wave of burglaries rocked their upscale Montecito community. The couple (pictured in Germany in September) were in Jamaica at the time of the recent crimes
The latest burglary occurred Wednesday at a property just a five-minute drive from the Sussexes' $15 million mansion (pictured) in Montecito, California.
The officer's message said: 'Over the past week, officers have taken several burglary reports with remarkable similarities in the layout of the residents, the times of occurrence and the items taken.
“In these burglaries, criminals target vacant homes adjacent to open spaces such as golf courses, creeks, streams or the ocean.
Researchers have determined that most of these crimes occur between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
“The most recent burglaries occurred on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in the 1500 block of Las Tunas in Montecito, and two in the 800 block of Sand Point Lane, Carpinteria. The suspect(s) in these cases are targeting safes.'
The Sussexes have a team of security guards, including Christopher Sanchez, who has worked for Barack Obama in the past, and Christopher Keenan, who protected Hillary Clinton, reports The mirror.
Harry and Meghan at the premiere of One Love in Kingston, Jamaica with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs of Jamaica
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a surprise visit to the Caribbean country this week to attend the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love and support the Marley family.
The pair were branded 'insensitive' after posing with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who wants to ditch the monarchy – just as King Charles prepares for prostate treatment and the Princess of Wales recovers in hospital from abdominal surgery.
According to The Times, the timing of Harry and Meghan's visit as guests of Paramount CEO Brian Robbins was not particularly well received by those at Buckingham Palace for both political and personal reasons.
According to the newspaper, one well-placed source said the trip was 'not particularly welcome in London', while another said the excursion was 'misguided'.