Five Chilean nationals charged last month with burglarizing a home in Baltimore County, Maryland, and allegedly participating in crimes in other states were all in the country illegally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On February 3, 2024, Baltimore County Police arrested 20-year-old Gabriel Matamara-Ponce. Thomas Crisosto Araya, 21 years old. Jorge Gatica-Vergara, 22 years old. Luis Oyanedel Valenzuela, 23 years old. and Gabriel Miranda Gonzalez, 27, were charged with attempted first-degree robbery and various other robbery-related crimes.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., officers were called to the 2300 block of Tufton Springs Lane for a robbery in progress and quickly spotted the suspects fleeing the scene in a vehicle, then stopped them and took them into custody.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the five suspects may be involved in four other robberies in the county, as well as crimes in North Carolina, Alabama, and Oklahoma. They are also said to have been part of a group of thieves from South America.
Maryland robber linked to South American theft ring, linked to incidents in multiple states: Police
Police in Baltimore County, Maryland, have arrested five men suspected of being members of a South American theft ring. (Baltimore County Police Department Twitter)
ICE told FOX News Digital that Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Baltimore filed immigration charges against all five individuals.
“ERO Baltimore is closely pursuing the five individuals arrested by Baltimore County Police on February 3 on suspicion of theft,” said ERO Baltimore Spokesperson James Covington. “All five are Chilean nationals.”
According to ICE, Crisosto Araya, Gatica Vergara, Miranda Gonzalez, and Oyaneder Valenzuela all entered the country legally as nonimmigrants but did not leave the country in accordance with their entry conditions.
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June 2, 2022: ICE agents conduct enforcement operations in the interior of the United States. (Immigration/Immigration Residency Control and Customs Enforcement)
The fifth person, Matamara Ponce, entered the country illegally without permission from a U.S. immigration official, according to ICE.
All five have also been implicated in crimes in other states.
On February 28, 2024, the Orange County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for Crisosto Araya, Gatica Vergara, Oyanedel Valenzuela, and Matamara Ponce on suspicion of residential burglary.
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Miranda Gonzalez was arrested by the Orange County, Florida Sheriff’s Office on February 22, 2022 and charged with petty retail theft and paid a fine on April 22, 2022.
All five are in immigration custody in Baltimore County.
Detainees file complaints against noncitizens arrested for criminal activity.
Under Detainer, ICE requires local and state law enforcement agencies to notify noncitizens as soon as possible before releasing them from custody.
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Detainees hold the release of non-citizens no more than 48 hours beyond the time they would otherwise be released, allowing ERO to assume custody for transfer purposes.
