Arrests Made in Los Angeles Home Robberies
Police in Los Angeles have arrested several gang members from South America who allegedly used deceptive delivery tactics to break into homes.
Seven individuals from a criminal group, four of whom are Colombians, have been charged with robbing homeowners under the guise of working for delivery services, amid a rise in home burglaries in the city.
Authorities reported that the suspects utilized items associated with delivery companies like Amazon, DoorDash, and Uber Eats to gain access to residences.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman mentioned that some of the tools found included red DoorDash bags and devices used when homes were unoccupied. He spoke about these methods during a press briefing.
“One common technique we’ve observed is that they show up with a DoorDash bag,” Hochman explained.
“It doesn’t have to specifically be DoorDash, though. It could involve any delivery service like Uber Eats or Amazon,” he added.
According to Hochman, the robbers often used fake IDs, approached Ring cameras, and, posing as delivery personnel, would ring the doorbell to check for anyone inside.
“They’re just trying to see if the house is empty because they tend to target vacant homes,” Hochman continued.
The police noted that the gang members had strategies in place for various scenarios when arriving at these homes.
Detectives also displayed a green-tinted hidden camera and a “jammer,” a device used to affect surveillance systems and other Wi-Fi-connected devices.
During their investigation, authorities recovered cash, jewelry, high-end handbags, Wi-Fi jammers, gloves, and various burglary tools.
Among those arrested were Chilean nationals Kevin Diaz, Owen Rivera Chacon, Christopher Sanchez, and Edison Bioca, each facing multiple charges related to the burglaries.
Hochman issued a warning to other South American gang members contemplating similar actions in the area.
“If you plan to come here and invade our homes, scaring and traumatizing our families, be assured that you will face the consequences of arrest, prosecution, and prison time,” he stated.
