Police: International Burglary Ring Suspects Busted In South Florida
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
BAY HARBOR (CBSMiami) – Police have arrested five people accused of working in an organized international burglary crime ring that targeted high-end luxury condos across South Florida.
A task force comprised of various agencies from the Tri-County area began surveillance of foreign nationals from Venezuela.
Authorities said the people had been in and out of the U.S. over the past two years for the sole "purpose of committing high-end burglaries."
On Friday, August 14th, the task force confirmed the suspects were back in town.
A week later, on August 21st, investigators said they apprehended the group in Miami as they were preparing to commit another burglary after having just completed one in Key Biscayne.
The next day, after the first set of arrests, three additional people were arrested. Officials said two of the suspects were arrested while attempting to leave the country and return to Venezuela.
Bay Harbor Islands Police released a list with the names of those arrested. They are: Wilmer Jose Rojas Gamboa, Alberto Jose Colmenares Machado, Carlos Raul Depablos Mazzelli, Andres Rojas Solano and Eduardo Jose Martinez Piloto.
This alleged organized group of burglars is suspected of committing over 30 burglaries from the north end of Palm Beach County to the southern tip of Miami-Dade County.
The property losses are estimated to be over $3 to $4 million.