[aidenn0]

From my 25 year old civics class, I seem to remember 4 reasons police could enter a home:

1. They have a warrant

2. They are invited in by an occupant

3. Reasonable belief that someone's life may be in danger

4. Reasonable belief that they may intercept a crime in progress

I certainly don't know California's law well enough to say if #4 would apply; the theft has already happened. If the owner asks for their property back you might be able to justify "withholding stolen property" but that seems like a stretch.