They were about to leave their homes for vacation, and the burglars knew it.

What started as a simple request to stop newspaper delivery turned into an invitation for a troupe of burglars, who ransacked at least 25 Los Angeles-area homes to the tune of $1 million over a period of three years, authorities said.

Armed with stolen lists of vacationing subscribers, the team stole computers, jewelry, musical instruments and even collectible swords, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.