A manhunt has been launched in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Californian neighbourhood following a trespassing incident. The Sussexes moved to Montecito, an A-list hotspot that also houses stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, and Ellen DeGeneres, after walking away from their royal responsibilities in 2020.
Despite being one of California’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, the area is not without its share of crime. The Montecito Journal, a local news website, reported a suspected trespassing incident last month. The suspect was not caught and an investigation has been launched.
According to the site, the incident took place on Park Lane, located just three miles from Harry and Meghan’s secluded mansion on Rockbridge Road. A man reportedly jumped the fence of a construction site at around 9.50am on Sunday, August 10, before being seen walking around the home that is being built.
They fled the scene before police officers arrived and a manhunt has been launched. The suspect is believed to be the same person who jumped the fence a week before and stole a $2,500 drill.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased the 16-bedroom property for a whopping $14.65 million (£10.9 million) in 2020. It is now estimated to be worth around double of this value.
Meghan previously described the home as a “safe haven”, adding it makes her “feel free”. She told People: “We did everything we could to get this house.
“Because you walk in and go … Joy. And exhale. And calm. It’s healing. You feel free.”
The mansion includes a large pool, a tennis court, a library and rose gardens. There is also a large terrace with a wood-fired stove and barbecue.
As well as the recent trespassing incident, the Montecito neighbourhood saw other crimes in August. According to the journal, a man was arrested after being found with meth on Sunday, August 10.
The suspect reportedly tried to flee from police after providing a false name. However, he was soon arrested on Coast Village Road, located around 2.5 miles away from the Sussexes’ resident.
The day after (August 11), a driver was pulled over after failing to stop for police. Officers found an “open container of alcohol” on the floor and the driver was arrested.