SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Three people from South America arrested in Scottsdale have been accused of breaking into homes in the East Valley as part of a professional crime ring based in Chile.
"These are professionals," Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther said during a news conference Tuesday. "These are Chilean burglary crews that are coming into the country on a Visa Waiver Program."
The department used helicopters and drones to search neighborhoods near Pima and Jomax roads after it was reported that there were suspicious people in the desert area, police said.
A woman, identified as Grecia Romanduski Gaete Castillo, 32, of Chile, was arrested around 8:40 p.m. Sunday after she was seen leaving a neighborhood in the area. Her vehicle was impounded and police found stolen property inside it, the department said.
"She admitted to dropping off two of her compatriots to do burglaries in the area," Walther said. "We knew that we had a Chilean burglary crew in the area and we threw everything that we had at it."
Police searched overnight and found two people in the same area who were arrested around 6:30 a.m. Monday.
The people have been identified as a 17-year-old juvenile from Santiago, Chile, and Sebastian Jesus Parraguez Soto, 23, of Santiago, Chile. The 17-year-old was sent to the Maricopa County juvenile facility after being booked into the Scottsdale jail. Soto and Castillo were booked into the Maricopa County Jail, the department said. All are facing conspiracy and burglary-related charges.
Both adult suspects reportedly admitted to police they were in Scottsdale to commit burglaries and had also been committing similar burglaries in California and Nevada.
The 17-year-old suspect had previously been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department, Walther said. Police also reportedly found his court documentation in the group's vehicle.
Police learned the three were staying at a hotel in Mesa and had checked out shortly before the burglaries on Saturday.
Neighbors in the area reported suspicious activity for two nights over the weekend, the department said.
"Scottsdale detectives are actively working on this case to determine if this group is connected with other cases in Scottsdale," the department said.
The department has been investigating several burglaries that have targeted high-value homes in the area over the past few months.
Scottsdale police said more than 130 "dinnertime burglaries" have been reported around the Valley. About 35 of those reports are from Scottsdale.
Police said the burglars are part of an organized and professional crime ring in South America. The group travels to the United States as tourists, commits quick crimes and leaves.
Police found the three suspects were in the country legally on the Visa Waiver Program. While Soto had overstayed his 90-day visa, Castillo and the 17-year-old were still within that limit, Walther said.
Investigators believe the three were involved with two break-ins on Saturday, and are working to confirm the total number of burglaries the three are accused of committing.
Both adults were arraigned on a $200,000 cash bond. The 17-year-old suspect's case is still under review.
Homeowners are encouraged to increase their home security, including activating alarms and glass break sensors, installing cameras and motion-activated lights, and hiding valuables in safes or non-typical places.
"I can tell you with some I believe with some certainty that there are a number of other crews that are working the Valley," Walther said.
These burglaries often target small, easily moved goods. In particular, many of the thieves are looking for cash, non-serialized jewelry, precious metals and high-end accessories like purses and belts, Walther said. Police believe that these burglars don't steal or use firearms.
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