Investigators say South American theft groups are responsible for a string of high-end burglaries, including at the homes of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.However, a WLWT investigation has uncovered that these alleged criminals are not just targeting million-dollar homes.In a brief, three-second video clip, obtained by WLWT, two men can be seen walk toward the back of a West Chester home dressed like landscapers.The video cuts out.That’s because before breaking in, they cut the home’s internet line, shutting down security cameras.Retired FBI special agent Dan Brunner has investigated South American theft rings.”They’ve been known to hit homes and used advanced technology, such as Wi-Fi jammers, so that the cameras are disabled. Any cellphones may be disabled,” Brunner said. Brunner said the crooks are also known to use Zillow to look at home values, photos, and layouts and employ food delivery drivers to gather information on potential targets.”What I’m saying is what they’ll do sometimes is they’ll go to the front door, make the food delivery, and they’re getting all intelligence from the house. Do you have dogs? Are you elderly? How many people live at home?” Brunner said.As WLWT Investigates started combing through police reports from across greater Cincinnati, we learned you don’t have to live in a luxury home, like Joe Burrow, to become a victim.”I think you said it very well. You don’t need to be a millionaire to be a victim of these theft rings,” said Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich. West Chester and Mason police are each investigating five cases believed to be linked to the South American Theft Groups.In one case, “two safe deposit boxes had been forced open.” The homeowner told police “$500,000 … from proceeds of the family business over the last 20 years” and “80 pieces of jewelry” were stolen.Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost oversees the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force that’s investigating these crimes. He declined to say how many we’ve had in our area.Investigators will only say there are “a lot” of victims.”Who have lost valuable and sentimental belongings as well as a sense of security in their own homes due to this type of theft activity,” Pillich said. They often target homes that back up to golf courses, wooded areas, walking trails or undeveloped land.”Part of this is to get people to think about their personal security, where they keep their precious belongings and how, how, if at all, they should have a security system,” Pillich said. But, even security systems don’t always protect homeowners. Take, for instance, a burglary at a home in South Lebanon.The security company called Warren County dispatchers.Records show Warren County deputies were on scene within seven minutes, but by then, the thieves were long gone.But, maybe not gone for good.The task force continues to close in on the organized crime ring.”I can promise you that this task force is taking every single offense very, very seriously, and we’re doing everything we can to bring the perpetrators in those other burglaries to justice,” Pillich said. To count so far, investigators have identified or arrested 14 suspected gang members locally.According to investigative records, one suspect named Jesus Inostroza has been linked through DNA to a dozen burglaries across the country, including ones in Indian Hill, Ross Township and Beavercreek.Seven others have now been charged in connection to the burglary at Joe Burrow’s and other NFL and NBA players.
Investigators say South American theft groups are responsible for a string of high-end burglaries, including at the homes of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
However, a WLWT investigation has uncovered that these alleged criminals are not just targeting million-dollar homes.
In a brief, three-second video clip, obtained by WLWT, two men can be seen walk toward the back of a West Chester home dressed like landscapers.
The video cuts out.
That’s because before breaking in, they cut the home’s internet line, shutting down security cameras.
Retired FBI special agent Dan Brunner has investigated South American theft rings.
“They’ve been known to hit homes and used advanced technology, such as Wi-Fi jammers, so that the cameras are disabled. Any cellphones may be disabled,” Brunner said.
Brunner said the crooks are also known to use Zillow to look at home values, photos, and layouts and employ food delivery drivers to gather information on potential targets.
“What I’m saying is what they’ll do sometimes is they’ll go to the front door, make the food delivery, and they’re getting all intelligence from the house. Do you have dogs? Are you elderly? How many people live at home?” Brunner said.
As WLWT Investigates started combing through police reports from across greater Cincinnati, we learned you don’t have to live in a luxury home, like Joe Burrow, to become a victim.
“I think you said it very well. You don’t need to be a millionaire to be a victim of these theft rings,” said Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich.
West Chester and Mason police are each investigating five cases believed to be linked to the South American Theft Groups.
In one case, “two safe deposit boxes had been forced open.” The homeowner told police “$500,000 … from proceeds of the family business over the last 20 years” and “80 pieces of jewelry” were stolen.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost oversees the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force that’s investigating these crimes. He declined to say how many we’ve had in our area.
Investigators will only say there are “a lot” of victims.
“Who have lost valuable and sentimental belongings as well as a sense of security in their own homes due to this type of theft activity,” Pillich said.
They often target homes that back up to golf courses, wooded areas, walking trails or undeveloped land.
“Part of this is to get people to think about their personal security, where they keep their precious belongings and how, how, if at all, they should have a security system,” Pillich said.
But, even security systems don’t always protect homeowners.
Take, for instance, a burglary at a home in South Lebanon.
The security company called Warren County dispatchers.
Records show Warren County deputies were on scene within seven minutes, but by then, the thieves were long gone.
But, maybe not gone for good.
The task force continues to close in on the organized crime ring.
“I can promise you that this task force is taking every single offense very, very seriously, and we’re doing everything we can to bring the perpetrators in those other burglaries to justice,” Pillich said.
To count so far, investigators have identified or arrested 14 suspected gang members locally.
According to investigative records, one suspect named Jesus Inostroza has been linked through DNA to a dozen burglaries across the country, including ones in Indian Hill, Ross Township and Beavercreek.
Seven others have now been charged in connection to the burglary at Joe Burrow’s and other NFL and NBA players.
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