Authorities arrest 3 Colombian nationals suspected of involvement in Southern California housebreaking tourism ring

Harris Marley

World Courant

Authorities have apprehended three of the 4 suspects allegedly related to a hidden digital camera that was discovered outdoors a Southern California residence earlier this yr.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Division launched an announcement stating that the captured suspects have been recognized as three Colombian nationals: 28-year-old Hames Lopez-Granados, 38-year-old Dany Alejandro Aponte-Abaunza and 27-year-old Jonathan Sierra-Rincon.

Officers mentioned the investigation is ongoing and dealing to establish the fourth suspect on this case.

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The arrests stem from an incident in Could when a Calabasas house owner reported to police that they discovered a camouflaged hidden digital camera in a planter within the entrance yard of their residence.

COLOMBIAN NATIONAL RELEASED WEEKS EARLIER IS AMONG GROUP ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ‘BURGLARY TOURISM’ IN CALIFORNIA

Police shared pictures of the digital camera and battery pack that was turned in by a neighborhood resident who discovered it of their flower mattress. (Malibu/Misplaced Hills Station)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division informed FOX 11 that South American theft teams, typically made up of Chilean or Colombian nationals, are recognized to make use of covert ways akin to concealing surveillance gadgets in pure environment like leaves and bushes. 

Officers mentioned these organized legal enterprises journey throughout states committing burglaries and thefts, typically whereas on restricted vacationer visas.

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Authorities urged the group to be vigilant and report any suspicious gadgets.

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Police discovered surveillance video tools camouflaged with leaves contained in the suspects’ automobile. (Glendale Police Division)

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On Sept. 3, the Riverside Sheriff’s Particular Enforcement Bureau and the Southwest Station Investigation Bureau served a search warrant in a neighborhood in Los Angeles the place three of the suspects have been taken into custody.

All three suspects have been booked on the Cois Byrd Detention Heart on conspiracy and housebreaking fees, officers mentioned. 

No extra particulars have been out there, however investigators encourage anybody with data to contact lead investigator Angel Gasparini on the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696–3000.

‘BURGLARY TOURISM’ PLAGUES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS UNVETTED FOREIGNERS RAID LUXE HOUSES

Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, and 29-year-old Luis Carlos Moreno have been additionally arrested for conspiracy to commit housebreaking, police mentioned. (Glendale Police Division)

Per week previous to the invention of the Calabasas digital camera, police in Glendale arrested 4 Colombian nationals in reference to what they mentioned was a “housebreaking tourism” ring. Just like the case in Malibu, the suspects allegedly put cameras in a planter outdoors of one of many houses.

Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid beforehand mentioned the arrests highlighted the “ongoing challenges” that officers face in protecting the group protected.

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“Whereas it’s irritating to apprehend the identical suspect for the same offense, it won’t diminish our resolve to guard Glendale,” Cid mentioned. “Our officers are devoted and can use each out there useful resource to fight these crimes and make sure the security of our residents.”

Police mentioned “housebreaking tourism” entails thieves from South America who enter the U.S. “underneath the guise of tourism and goal prosperous neighborhoods for burglaries.”

Fox Information Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. 

Authorities arrest 3 Colombian nationals suspected of involvement in Southern California housebreaking tourism ring

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