Ellen and Portia burglary an inside job? Here’s what the cops say
Amidst allegations of mean, insensitive behavior and lashback from various staffers and celebs, 2020 is a year with no shortage of troubles for Ellen DeGeneres. While some are busy speaking out against the talk show host, others, like wife Portia de Rossi stand by her side – then there’s those who just decided to steal Ellen’s stuff instead.
Ellen & Portia were robbed during the barrage of allegations against DeGeneres – ones including her poor treatment of guests and staffers on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and inhospitable behavior towards everyone from her waitresses to bodyguard. Maybe Ellen’s home security team was also on the brunt-end of some unsavory attitude?
With newer details coming to light, evidence now points to the probability that Ellen & Portia’s burglary was an inside job. Here’s what we know the cops are saying now.
Ellen & Portia: Lifestyles of the rich and robbed
To refresh your memory, Ellen and Portia’s $27 million dollar Montecito mansion was burglarized earlier this year – on July 4 of all occasions. Luxury mansions like Ellen and Portia’s have long been targets for burglars, and strings of robberies against California’s rich & famous are not uncommon acts.
The Independence Day celebrations may have concluded without fireworks, but that didn’t stop another mind blowing act from occurring on the couple’s property. It was reported “high value jewelry and watches” were among the stolen items during a successful break-in, though an exact value has not been released for public knowledge.
Authorities were safe to assume the home was targeted due to the knowledge of its celebrity inhabitants, and let’s face it, a luxury mansion with a dozen rooms is bound to entice criminals looking for a quick score –or a premeditated long-con.
Ellen and Portia burglary investigation
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has been involved in months of investigation into the burglary. Ellen & Portia also admitted to being home when the robbery took place, but clearly were not using any of the rooms traversed by the criminals.
Thankful no one was physically hurt during the act, Ellen was quick to upgrade the security at her mansion. DeGeneres approved a new company to handle her home security, adding new security sensors and even armed patrols around the property – whatever helps her and Portia get some sound sleep.
A source close to TMZ reported the mansion’s back door appeared to be the main point of entry for the criminals, helping the burglars enter and escape undetected for the break-in. Despite all the security and the presence of Ellen & Portia, who could have been knowledgeable enough – or bold enough – to pull off such a heist?
Cops say burglary an inside job
It’s become apparent authorities have been asking themselves the same exact question. According to recent reports by The Sun, the new primary suspects may have been close enough to DeGeneres to have insider information – because the burglary is now believed to be an inside job.
The Montecito Association sent a newsletter to its high-profile residents earlier this week – including the likes of Oprah and Ariana Grande – seeking to quell the fear of any future burglaries. The newsletter printed a quote from one of the local sheriff’s, which proclaimed the crime to be considered an “inside job.”
The exact words of the August 12 newsletter read: “If it had been a case of outsiders coming in and breaking and entering, I’d have alerted you to be on the lookout and lock up everything. According to our very helpful Sheriff Lt. Arnoldi, that appears to be an inside job.”
Ellen and Portia burglary: More details to come
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is still conducting this ongoing investigation, and more details about the break-in have yet to be made available – although the cops are assured Ellen & Portia didn’t have anything to do with the crime.
Current media pressure on DeGeneres for her alleged facilitation of a “toxic work environment” and speculation of turbulence in Ellen and Portia’s marriage haven’t made life easy for the TV host. Despite Portia’s reassurance Ellen is “doing great” amidst the controversy, this burglary was just another added pressure to the couples’ lives.
For the time being it seems the police are getting closer to unmasking those responsible for the burglary, patching one in a long list of current problems for Ellen & Portia. But until conclusive findings come to light, the fallout from the heist will continue to linger in the background – another weight atop a heavy summer for DeGeneres.
