Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa’s Newport Beach, California, home was burglarized while the family was away on vacation, and the reported entry point gives the story a practical home-security angle.
The HGTV stars were in Los Cabos, Mexico, when the break-in happened, according to House Beautiful. Heather shared the update in a June 12 Instagram post and said the family was safe.
Police details reported by People said the burglary happened sometime between about 7:30 a.m. on June 6 and 6 p.m. on June 8. Unknown suspects allegedly accessed the backyard, shattered a rear sliding glass door, entered the home, and ransacked the primary bedroom closet.
No injuries were reported, but jewelry was stolen. The couple said irreplaceable family heirlooms and sentimental items were also taken, and they said they are taking extra precautions to protect the home moving forward.
The Burglars Came Through the Backyard
The reported route is the part homeowners should notice first. People reported, citing Newport Beach police, that the suspects accessed the backyard before shattering a rear sliding glass door.
After entering the home, the suspects allegedly fled back through the backyard, along the side of the house, and out the front yard. Police had not released suspect information in the People report.
Rear sliders, patio doors, side yards, and backyard gates can feel more private than the front entrance, but that privacy can also mean less street visibility. Before a trip, those back and side access points deserve the same check as the front door.
The Primary Bedroom Closet Was Ransacked
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Police details reported by People said the primary bedroom closet was ransacked and jewelry was stolen. The El Moussas later said sentimental items and irreplaceable family heirlooms were among the losses.
The couple did not publicly list every item that was taken. In their statement, they said the break-in left them heartbroken but grateful that their family was safe.
The reports do not say whether the suspects knew the family was away. House Beautiful noted that Heather had shared vacation posts from Los Cabos before the burglary became public, but the available reports do not prove the travel posts played any role in the break-in.
Rear Doors and Side Yards Need a Pre-Trip Check
The Newport Beach Police Department’s crime-prevention guidance tells residents to lock doors and windows whenever they leave, even for a few minutes. The department also advises residents to use timers on indoor lamps, activate alarms even for short absences, and keep front and rear porch lights on from dusk to dawn.
Side areas deserve attention too. Newport Beach police recommend motion lighting on sides of a home where there is little foot traffic, and the department says accessible windows should be secured.
For longer trips, the same checklist should include the less obvious places: rear sliders, side gates, patio doors, balcony access, garage entries, and windows hidden by walls or landscaping. If valuables are stored in a bedroom closet, police also recommend bolting safes down so they cannot be carried out quickly.