Lionel Richie's L.A. Home Security System To The Rescue During Attempted Burglary

Lionel Richie nearly had an unwelcome visitor at his Beverly Hills mansion after a suspected thief tried to break into the property.

The break-in attempt was stopped in its tracks by Lionel's home security system, which alerted authorities before the suspect could make it inside.

Lionel Richie, whose five-decade career spans global tours and chart-topping hits, has lived in the lavish estate since purchasing it in 1999 for about $6 million.

Lionel's Beverly Hills mansion became the latest celebrity home to attract an unwanted visitor, but the legendary singer's security system stopped the attempt before it went any further.

Lionel was reportedly inside the house when the suspect tried to force his way in during the early hours of Friday. Before anything could be stolen, his alarm blared, scaring the intruder off and leaving the music icon unharmed.

According to TMZ, police later arrested 37-year-old Michael John Bond on suspicion of residential burglary, though prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges against him. Investigators are reportedly piecing together what happened and are reviewing video footage and evidence from the scene.

Lionel has called his Beverly Hills estate home since the 1990s. The mansion carries a serious architectural pedigree as it was initially designed by Harry Koerner and William J. Gage from blueprints by Carrie Guggenheim of the famed Guggenheim family, Home & Texture notes.

Over the years, Lionel has renovated the space into a sprawling 17,000-square-foot residence with 28 rooms, including six bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.

The library is stacked with books, art, and decades' worth of awards, while silk-upholstered furniture and Italian Rococo chairs brighten the sitting room. His dining area showcases a walnut-and-iron table, mahogany seating, and shelves lined with statues gathered from around the world.

The songwriter's renovations have turned the estate into a true retreat, complete with an Olympic-sized pool, a spa, and sprawling terraces.

For the 76-year-old, home is more than a mansion; it is a creative sanctuary. Among his favorite spaces on the estate is the sprawling rose garden, filled with iceberg roses, magnolia trees, and cypress that wind around limestone terraces and a stone pool house.

According to the outlet, the music producer has often described the garden as the soul of his property, calling it a place where he feels most connected. Sitting outdoors surrounded by roses, he says, has sparked some of his best songwriting moments, offering him both peace and inspiration.

Another corner of the home that holds deep meaning is the sunroom, where Lionel reportedly keeps the piano he once used during his early days with The Commodores.

Personal touches also run throughout the home. He displays paintings, sculptures, and gifts from close friends and family, including a bronze piece showing his young hand reaching out to his father's. 

The father-of-three's path to superstardom did not begin with mansions and sold-out arenas; it started with a saxophone at Tuskegee Institute in the late '60s.

He first joined a campus band called the Mystics, later renamed Commodores, where he wrote and played, before stepping into the role that would change everything: lead singer. 

Parade notes that Lionel's career spans over five decades, with a catalog of hits that stretch from Commodores classics like "Easy" and "Brick House" to his own solo staples such as "Hello" and "All Night Long."

His ability to write timeless songs and perform them around the world has built him an estimated net worth of $200 million in 2025.

Now a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and longtime American Idol judge, Richie isn't just an icon; he is a blueprint for artists breaking barriers and leaving a lasting mark.

The musician had no interest in being called "grandpa." When his daughter Sofia Richie and her husband Elliot Grainge announced they were expecting, Lionel revealed that he had already picked the name he wanted his first grandchild to use. 

He chose "pop-pop," a title he felt carried warmth without the weight of "grandpa." The Blast highlighted that Lionel spoke about his excitement in 2024 while promoting his Netflix documentary "The Greatest Night in Pop."

On the red carpet, he proudly told ET, "My baby is having a baby, and I'm so thrilled for Elliot and Sophia. They are just over the moon."

Looks like Lionel Richie's security proved just as timeless as his music.