Police arrested four members of an alleged international “burglary tourism” ring Monday following a traffic stop in Glendale.
Glendale Police
The men, all four Colombian nationals, were arrested around 10:30 p.m. after police spotted a car driving without headlights near the intersection of Emerald Isle Drive and Kirkham Drive, according to a statement from Glendale police.
When officers searched the car, they found a “video surveillance device with a battery charging system camouflaged with leaves,” the statement said.
“This evidence, combined with the discovery of freshly disturbed dirt in a planter in the cul-de-sac, led Glendale detectives to believe that the suspects had strategically placed the camera in the planter,” the statement continued. “This method allowed them to create an advanced method for understanding homes and knowing when homeowners would move out.”
They also found several jewelry boxes, a construction helmet and a vest, items traditionally used as ruses to approach homes without arousing suspicion, police said.
Detectives identified the suspects as Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, Luis Carlos Moreno, 29, and Bryan Martinez-Vargas, 28. They say Vargas had already been arrested on April 30 after a brief chase in Glendale.
Glendale Police
In that case, officers responded to the 4300 block of Boston Avenue around 3:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a residential burglary in progress.
Responding officers witnessed Vargas and 45-year-old William Guanume leaving the area in a gray Toyota and giving chase.
“While fleeing from officers, the suspects began throwing evidence from their car,” the police statement said.
The chase finally came to an end after the suspects exited Highway 134 at Figueroa Street and crashed into the hill after failing to negotiate the curve. Both were arrested.
“The subsequent investigation revealed that the discarded items had indeed been stolen from the targeted home. Notably, officers found a Wi-Fi signal jammer, which was still on and working,” the statement said. “Signal blocking devices allow people to enter homes unnoticed. This technology disrupts home WiFi systems, cutting off power to traditional home security systems and cameras and making them ineffective at alerting homeowners or law enforcement to the presence of intruders.”
Both Guanume and Vargas were investigated for their alleged involvement in a so-called transnational criminal operation known as “burglary tourism,” in which South American nationals enter the United States under the guise of tourism before targeting affluent neighborhoods to commit burglaries. the police said. .
The evidence found in the arrests is similar to several reports from other Southern California cities Chino Hills And Temeculawhere hidden recording equipment was located in the front yards of houses.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact investigators at (818) 548-4911.
