California Mom Chases Thief Stealing from Her Home

Footage obtained by KABC shows a mother from California chasing a thief who stole her son’s piggy bank after breaking into her car. This incident took place in Torrance on Saturday when Chiara Ortiz arrived at her apartment with her two children. After returning from getting lunch, her son pointed out the thief, leading her to react.

Upon realizing what was happening, Ortiz started recording the events on her phone. She pursued the suspect as he made off with her son’s piggy bank. The video captures Ortiz attempting to confront the burglar.

“I saw the man reach for something, so I backed up the car a little and hit the windshield, the window,” Ortiz explained to KABC.

Additional footage revealed that the back windows of the getaway vehicle were smashed before it fled the scene. Ortiz’s son managed to record the license plate, though the police later stated it had been changed. According to the Torrance Police Department (TPD), the thief got away in a dark green BMW.

Reports indicate the thief also stole firearms from Ortiz’s apartment, which were secured in locked boxes.

“I feel very violated and very angry. It feels like… there’s not much you can do about it,” she shared with the outlet. However, she expressed gratitude that her family was unharmed, noting, “That could have been so bad.”

The TPD is looking into the case. “This type of crime is concerning, and we are dedicated to ensuring our community’s safety. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Torrance Police Department,” they stated.

From January to April 2025, there were 86 reported home robberies in Torrance, according to a TPD crime analysis report. This reflects an increase from the 55 cases reported during the same period in 2024.