Meghan and Harry’s luxury ‘Beverly Hills estate’ once targeted by notorious ‘Bling Ring’ burglars, neighbor says
THE Beverly Hills estate where Meghan and Harry are reportedly staying was once targeted by notorious Bling Ring burglars, a neighbor has revealed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been living in an $18million mansion in the exclusive Beverly Ridge estate belonging to actor and producer Tyler Perry, according to sources.
TV producer and novelist Carleton Eastlake, who lives adjacent to the secure gated estate in Beverly Hills, told The Sun how members of the Bling Ring gang once scrambled across the hills that surround the homes and climbed over the fence.
The Bling Ring, which was the subject of a 2013 movie, targeted the homes of celebs including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and then girlfriend Miranda Kerr, Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox, stealing about $3 million worth of cash, clothing and jewelry before they were caught 12 years ago.
“Harry and Meghan have chosen the perfect place to base themselves," Easton said.
"Security was ratcheted up on the estate after it was targeted by the Bling Ring.
"Those guys came down the hills and got over the fence that used to be there but they didn’t get into any of the houses, luckily.
“After that, new security measures were put in places and it’s one of the safest most secure places in LA now."
The former TV producer also said that the Duke and Duchess will almost certainly be getting to know the local "mover and shaker" Guy Oseary, another local, who helps manage Madonna and U2.
"It’s a very quiet, very well to do area," he said.
"It started off as a small colony of classic Hollywood stars back in the 1930s and grew from there.
“Now it’s home to lots of big players in the entertainment world.
"Those are the connections Harry and Meghan will need to make their careers.
"One of the guys, a local guy, that they’ll get to know is rock manager Guy Oseary. He works with a lot of good causes and I am sure he will be working with Harry and Meghan."
And Eastlake said he expects to see even more tour buses visiting the area packed with fans now that Harry and Meghan have apparently moved in.
“The tour buses are a bit of a thing around here and now that Harry and Meghan live there I’m sure more of them will be stopping off at the entrance to the estate but that’s nowhere near the house," he said.
Other neighbors said they were annoyed that Meghan and Harry had chosen to move into their quiet neighborhood.
A 35-year-old mum-of-one whose home backs on to the exclusive gated community said: “To be honest, it’s annoying that they’re near here.
"It means there’ll be more tourist buses coming by than before to see where celebrities live.
"We do get a lot of fans driving through and blocking the roads, now it will be worse.
"But we wish them well. The estate is very secluded, very secure. I am sure it is what they want.”
Another neighbor revealed how the royals would most likely do their shopping and other errands in the less glamorous San Fernando Valley - known to locals as "the Valley" - as it's easier to get to.
The elderly neighbor said: "Living there it’s likely they’ll do all their practical stuff such as shopping in the Valley. It’s just easier to get there.
"There's lots of restaurants there but also the Beverly Hills Hotel is nearby. I am sure that when restrictions are lifted, Meghan will be a regular there.
“This is the kind of area where folks don’t know their neighbors. People tend to keep themselves to themselves.”
DailyMailTV first reported that the couple had moved to actor Perry's eight bedroom, 12 bathroom Tuscan villa on top of a hill in the Beverly Ridge Estate's guard-gated community.
It is not known if they are renting the property or staying as guests but they are believed to have met him through their mutual friend Oprah Winfrey.
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The pair moved to California from Vancouver Island, Canada, just before the border was shut due to the coronavirus crisis.
A source told DailyMailTV: “Meghan and Harry have been extremely cautious to keep their base in LA under wraps.
“They have been at this property for a month without anyone finding out.”