SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Locking the doors and setting a home alarm wasn't enough to deter these brash burglars.
Since 2019, over 100 Valley homes have been hit by "dinnertime burglars," an organized ring of crooks that target residences while the owners are out in the evening.
Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther said these burglars are members of a South American Crime Syndicate and they've been getting more high-tech with their approach.
“The majority of suspects that have been identified come from the country of Chile, which is on the Visa Waiver Program," Chief Walther said.
The burglars know what they are doing and are highly skilled. Walther said they target specific homes that back-up to a golf course or open area so they can make a quick escape.
"If they believe that nobody was home, their goal was to make a quick hit on that residence," Chief Walther said. "Typically break in through a back window or an Arcadia patio door, get in and get out within that 8 to 12 minute time frame."
Stealing cash, jewelry, and luxury purses that they then sell on the black-market. However, Walther said there are some items they don't take. Like jewelry with serial numbers that can get traced back to them or firearms.
Since October, Chief Walther said there have been 39 of these burglaries in Scottsdale with about $600,000 worth of valuables stolen. Throughout the Valley, he said there have been about 140 with $4 million worth of valuables taken.
It's an issue that is going on all over the United States but Walther said Scottsdale saw its first case in 2019. Since then, the methods used by the burglars have become more advanced.
Recently Phoenix Police arrested four suspects accused of carrying out these burglaries. During the arrest they found cell phone and Wi-Fi jamming devices that prevent people from accessing their security cameras or calling 911 on their cell phone.
"This is just another tool that they brought to bear," he said,. "You can buy cellular jammers, Wi-Fi jammers on Amazon today, that's how prolific they can be."
Scottsdale also arrested three suspected dinnertime burglars in March. Since then, Walther said there haven't been any other incidents reported.
"It doesn't mean that they're not here. It just means that they've they've ceased their Valley operations, at least for the moment," the Chief said.
Chief Walther also believes that with the Valley's hot summer and longer days, these crimes will stop for now. Still, he believes homeowners should still be prepared.
When asked what methods are there to keep homes safe, Walther recommends still locking home doors and activating security systems. He also said people shouldn't hide all their valuables in one room. Specifically the master bedroom where these burglars immediately go to when they break into a home.
He also said residents need to communicate with their neighbors to let them know if they are going out of town.
"You'd be surprised how many times we come across people like, 'Well, yeah, I saw somebody at my neighbor's house, but I don't know them, so I had no idea... that they're out of the country, or they're on vacation," Walther said.
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