Bestselling Crime Novelist’s Nightmarish Encounter: Fiction Turns to Reality as Masked Intruders Target His Home

Bestselling Crime Novelist’s Nightmarish Encounter: Fiction Turns to Reality as Masked Intruders Target His Home

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a chilling turn of events, acclaimed crime novelist Lee Goldberg, 62, experienced a harrowing episode straight from the pages of his own fiction, as was reported by the New York Post on Sunday.  Masked men invaded his property in the dead of night, recreating the suspenseful scenes he often pens in his novels. The Post report noted that the incident, which took place at his $2.84 million Calabasas, California home, highlights the unsettling convergence of fiction and reality.

Lee Goldberg, the mastermind behind the bestselling “Monk” and “Diagnosis Murder” book series, was jolted from his own narratives when motion sensors alerted him to the presence of intruders on his California property, according to the Post report. The author, known for crafting intricate crime plots, watched as four men donned matching hoodies, gloves, and masks crept up a hillside into his backyard. This eerie intrusion was captured on Goldberg’s motion sensor cameras and shared on his Facebook page, the report added.

As the masked figures hurried towards his residence under the glare of security lights, Goldberg was thrust into his own thriller, the Post report said. Quickly dialing the police, he recognized the gravity of the situation – these were not mere petty criminals. Their organized and professional demeanor indicated a more sinister intent. According to the Post report, the author later expressed his shock at how the events he writes about had come knocking on his door, stating, “It’s what I write about, this stuff, and I imagine it, but I don’t think it would happen to me.”

“Once again, my fiction is coming true,” the New York Times bestselling author said, according to the Post report. “Chilean Burglary Tourists play a big part in my next Eve Ronin novel, DREAM TOWN. So what happens? Tonight they tried to hit my house… **while I was home**.”

While awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, the would-be intruders hastily retreated, possibly spotting Goldberg on the phone and realizing they had been detected. As was reported by the Post, the author shared his daughter’s fearful description of the event, likening the masked individuals to “zombies squirming into your house.” This eerily cinematic portrayal emphasizes the real terror experienced by those who find themselves confronted with crime that echoes their creative works, the report added.

The incident unfolded against the backdrop of rising crime rates in the Calabasas area. The Post report also indicated that Goldberg’s neighbor had fallen victim to a home invasion prior to his own ordeal, leading them to contemplate selling their property due to mounting safety concerns. The intruders, who had previously raided the neighbor’s home, had made off with valuable possessions, including clothing and jewelry, the report said.

Goldberg speculated that the thieves might be exploiting the neighboring golf course and clandestinely hiking up the hillside to bypass security, according to the Post report. This strategic approach enables them to evade detection and gain access to the gated community, further emphasizing the audacity and organization of these criminal endeavors.

The incident paints a stark picture of the impact of property crimes in Calabasas. According to Open Justice statistics, between 2019 and 2022, there were 1,255 property crimes in the city, with 271 being residential burglaries, as was noted in the Post report. Out of these, 244 burglaries involved forced entry onto properties, highlighting the level of intrusion and danger residents face.

Lee Goldberg’s unsettling encounter with masked intruders at his own home is a vivid reminder that fiction has the power to mirror and sometimes even predict reality. The boundary between storytelling and lived experience can blur unexpectedly, as individuals find themselves entangled in the very narratives they create. This incident underscores the importance of security measures and vigilant awareness in the face of evolving crime trends, as well as the need for continued efforts to ensure safety and tranquility in communities.