(CNN) -- For three years, the thieves crept into some of the poshest homes in the most exclusive enclaves in the nation.





The gated community of Bel Air was one  of several enclaves targeted by the so-called "Hillside Burglars."





Police said they finally have a break in the case, and wealthy residents of Los Angeles, California, are breathing a sigh of relief.





"These guys were real good," said L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss, who oversees Bel Air where some of the burglaries were committed. "They were professionals."





The thieves hauled away more than $10 million worth of valuables and cash from 150 homes in upscale neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Pacific Palisades and Beverly Hills, police said.





Homes of Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and multimillionaires were hit. According to CNN affiliate KABC, country music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw and former Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing were among the victims.





DNA evidence led the LAPD to suspected ringleader Troy Corsby Thomas, 45, of Los Angeles. He was arrested near L.A. International Airport last weekend.





Police say Thomas led a gang dubbed the "Hillside Burglars" that targeted the neighborhoods overlooking Sunset Boulevard.





"It's a very euphoric, satisfying feeling that we got this person," said the police Lt. David McGill. "It's a very frustrating feeling to tell the victims, 'I'm sorry I don't have any news for you.' Finally when we got some good detective work and breaks, things started lining up."





Police are looking for more suspects linked to the three-year spree but are not naming them.





Thomas is being held on $2 million bail, according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office. He is likely to stay in custody because he must reveal the origin of any funds used to pay the bail, authorities said.





At a court appearance Tuesday, Thomas pleaded not guilty to two charges of residential burglary, one in January 2006 and another in March 2008. The preliminary court date for Thomas will be set on January 29 and additional charges are expected to be filed, according to CNN affiliates KABC and KTLA.





Police will not comment on Thomas' background. The Los Angeles Times reported that Thomas told police he had been working as an auto broker.





The Hillside Burglars have not struck since Thomas' arrest, police said.





"Hallelujah!" said L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl, whose district includes Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. "Even a crafty crook does make his mistake and that's what happened to this one."





Some residents are cautiously optimistic.





"We're delighted," said Robert René, president of Brentwood Homeowners Association, which represents about 800 homes. "We are very fortunate to have the due diligence of the Westside LAPD."





Harvey I. Saferstein, president of the Bel Air Association, agreed, "We are all obviously thankful and relieved."





The financially strapped LAPD created a Hillside Burglars task force. People donated cameras and other equipment and police stepped up patrols. The outlay amounted to "millions of dollars," Rosendahl said.





Neighborhood watch groups formed. One in Bel Air donated $8,000 for infrared cameras that can spot burglars in the dark.





Robert Ringler, president of the Bel Air Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council, hosted a community meeting with the LAPD at the five-star Bel Air Hotel a year and a half ago. As swans swam in ponds in the background, about 150 Westside residents sipped Perrier and vented their fears.





"It had gotten to be such an epidemic," Ringler said.





The impressive mansions -- usually gated and hidden by walls and hedges -- dot the lush hillsides and canyons between the coast and the mountains. The qualities that make them so desirable also make them vulnerable.





The seclusion that appeals to upscale homeowners also appeals to thieves. Because many of the homes are tucked into the sides of mountains and canyons, behind gates, it's easy for a thief to escape unseen and hard for police to get there quickly.





"
( CNN ) -- For three years , the thieves crept into some of the poshest homes in the most exclusive enclaves in the nation . The gated community of Bel Air was one of several enclaves targeted by the so - called " Hillside Burglars . " Police said they finally have a break in the case , and wealthy residents of Los Angeles , California , are breathing a sigh of relief . " These guys were real good , " said L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss , who oversees Bel Air where some of the burglaries were committed . " They were professionals . " The thieves hauled away more than $ 10 million worth of valuables and cash from 150 homes in upscale neighborhoods such as Bel Air , Pacific Palisades and Beverly Hills , police said . Homes of Hollywood celebrities , professional athletes and multimillionaires were hit . According to CNN affiliate KABC , country music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw and former Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing were among the victims . DNA evidence led the LAPD to suspected ringleader Troy Corsby Thomas , 45 , of Los Angeles . He was arrested near L.A. International Airport last weekend . Police say Thomas led a gang dubbed the " Hillside Burglars " that targeted the neighborhoods overlooking Sunset Boulevard . " It 's a very euphoric , satisfying feeling that we got this person , " said the police Lt . David McGill . " It 's a very frustrating feeling to tell the victims , ' I 'm sorry I do n't have any news for you . ' Finally when we got some good detective work and breaks , things started lining up . " Police are looking for more suspects linked to the three - year spree but are not naming them . Thomas is being held on $ 2 million bail , according to the L.A. County District Attorney 's Office . He is likely to stay in custody because he must reveal the origin of any funds used to pay the bail , authorities said . At a court appearance Tuesday , Thomas pleaded not guilty to two charges of residential burglary , one in January 2006 and another in March 2008 . The preliminary court date for Thomas will be set on January 29 and additional charges are expected to be filed , according to CNN affiliates KABC and KTLA . Police will not comment on Thomas ' background . The Los Angeles Times reported that Thomas told police he had been working as an auto broker . The Hillside Burglars have not struck since Thomas ' arrest , police said . " Hallelujah ! " said L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl , whose district includes Brentwood and Pacific Palisades . " Even a crafty crook does make his mistake and that 's what happened to this one . " Some residents are cautiously optimistic . " We 're delighted , " said Robert René , president of Brentwood Homeowners Association , which represents about 800 homes . " We are very fortunate to have the due diligence of the Westside LAPD . " Harvey I. Saferstein , president of the Bel Air Association , agreed , " We are all obviously thankful and relieved . " The financially strapped LAPD created a Hillside Burglars task force . People donated cameras and other equipment and police stepped up patrols . The outlay amounted to " millions of dollars , " Rosendahl said . Neighborhood watch groups formed . One in Bel Air donated $ 8,000 for infrared cameras that can spot burglars in the dark . Robert Ringler , president of the Bel Air Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council , hosted a community meeting with the LAPD at the five - star Bel Air Hotel a year and a half ago . As swans swam in ponds in the background , about 150 Westside residents sipped Perrier and vented their fears . " It had gotten to be such an epidemic , " Ringler said . The impressive mansions -- usually gated and hidden by walls and hedges -- dot the lush hillsides and canyons between the coast and the mountains . The qualities that make them so desirable also make them vulnerable . The seclusion that appeals to upscale homeowners also appeals to thieves . Because many of the homes are tucked into the sides of mountains and canyons , behind gates , it 's easy for a thief to escape unseen and hard for police to get there quickly . "
Who feels relief?
Who feels relief ?
wealthy residents of Los Angeles, California,
wealthy residents of Los Angeles, California,