Birkin bag thieves prowl L.A.’s rich neighborhoods, fueling a bizarre black market

The dark-green handbag was not her only Birkin, but it was the only one she left behind when she went to Europe. She in turn sold it to an upscale Dallas resale site; Redeluxe is owned by an erstwhile YouTube pastor and his wife and promises its refined clientele of influencers and Hermès enthusiasts “a trustworthy luxury shopping experience.” Redeluxe was advertising the Palisades bag — or one that appeared identical to it — as recently as last month for $25,950, calling it a Birkin lover’s “dream come true.” After The Times inquired about the bag, the company said through a lawyer that the owners were unaware the Birkin was stolen and filed a lawsuit against the woman who sold them the bag. The demand for pre-owned Birkins has long existed, she said, but the proliferation in recent years of new sites, such as Fashionphile, the RealReal and Rebag, has made reselling them quick and easy: “What’s changed is this whole aftermarket.” The burglary of a $3-million Hollywood Hills home in April 2023 bore the hallmarks of what police call South American theft groups: a target in an upscale block; property abutting parkland, in this case, Runyon Canyon; entry through a rear glass door; and a haul of easily fenced valuables — specifically at least $50,000 worth of handbags, jewelry and other items. The male entered the front passenger seat of Sunceri’s vehicle for a short period of time and later exited without the item.” The task force asked a judge to authorize a search of her home in October, with the LAPD’s Villatoro writing, “It is your affiant’s belief that Karla Sunceri knowingly purchases luxury brand handbags obtained through criminal activity from and then resells them for profit.” The Palisades woman sank to the ground in shock when she first saw her ransacked home. The LAPD detectives were not handbag aficionados — the Palisades woman said they pronounced Hermès “her-meez” rather than the French “er-mez” — but they were experts in tracing stolen goods, and got a search warrant for records of Redeluxe’s communications and transactions with Sunceri.