Larchmont Village Homeowner Speaks Out Against Increasing Crime

Videos of Larchmont Village homeowner Vincent Ricci shooting at two hooded individuals attempting to break into his home have gone viral. At first, Ricci told the Buzz he didn’t want to be identified, but as word of the incident spread, Ricci decided to take the opportunity to speak out about the increasing number of property crimes plaguing his neighborhood.

“Everyone is getting robbed and no one is doing anything about it,” Ricci told the Buzz. “I didn’t want to do this but nothing will change if we don’t get together and make real change happen. Why is this happening? These are the same groups robbing houses in the neighborhood.”

Ricci, an entrepreneur with several businesses including Hubble Studios and Hubble clothing brand told the Buzz he’s been interviewed by several national news shows about the incident and has decided to take advantage of the attention to push for more and better policing. For example, he said, he’d like to see more surveillance tools, like license plate cameras, being used in neighborhoods that are being targeted by thieves.

According to Ricci, his home was broken into two months ago. At the time, Ricci said he was convinced they’d be back.

LAPD Olympic Division Senior Lead Officer Joe Pelayo said these are likely the same individuals who have been caught on cameras attempting to break into homes in the surrounding neighborhoods.

According to Pelayo, there are crews that are driving around the neighborhood looking for potential targets. He said neighbors have been really upset about the increased crime and he often repeats the same warnings to residents — be vigilant, stay aware of their surroundings, check to see if someone is following them, and make sure their homes and front are well-lit with a clear view of the street and not hidden behind gates or hedges where someone can hide.

Ricci, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, was ready last Saturday around 7:30 p.m. when he was held up as he was about to enter his home.

According to Channel 7 News,

“…surveillance video shows one masked intruder with a gun run up to the Mid City man as he was about to walk in his front door. The homeowner then pulls out a gun to defend himself, starting a shootout with the intruders.

“I guess they decided to try to come at me and come in the house but I have a five-month-old baby and a wife and a nanny in the house and that wasn’t going to happen,” the man told Eyewitness News.

“There was nothing in my house that was worth dying for. But I was willing to die for my family.”

According to neighbors, six gunshots were fired. Fortunately, no one was injured, including Ricci and his family.

Ricci told the Buzz he’s planning to attend the Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association Annual meeting next week to ask his neighbors if they will band together to fight the crime in their neighborhood.

Click here for more information on the Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association meeting which will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 14, at 07:00 PM.

Correction: This story has been updated. Ricci is no longer associated with Balanced Los Angeles, a cannabis lifestyle brand.