Theft group targets Asian business owners in multiple Bay Area cities, 5

(KRON) — Five people were arrested in connection with residential burglaries in Santa Rosa, the Santa Rosa Police Department said Tuesday.

The theft group primarily targeted the homes of Asian business owners, police said. There have been similar burglaries in multiple jurisdictions.

SRPD was tipped off to the group by the Union City Police Department in December. SRPD knew of at least 11 burglaries in the past 14 months targeting Asian victims.

Another burglary targeting an Asian person from Santa Rosa happened on Dec. 18. A witness gave police the car’s license plate number, and SRPD tracked it to Vallejo.

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Police conducted surveillance on three vehicles associated with the burglaries, presumed suspects and an Airbnb believed to have been rented by the subjects.

The next day, police saw four people loading their cars with bags suspected to be filled with stolen goods. SRPD detained the suspects after they tried to run away. A fifth suspect was taken into custody after trying to run from the house.

SRPD served search warrants on the associated homes and cars and discovered “equipment and tools indicative of a very sophisticated burglary ring,” police said. Items recovered include camouflaged cameras, more than 15 cell phones, delivery driver disguises, yard maintenance clothing and equipment, and night vision goggles.

Image from the Santa Rosa Police Department

Detectives seized items including cash, jewelry and designer handbags. Police believe the suspects are Colombian nationals who move around different cities targeting Asian business owners. SRPD said it had proof that the suspects had burglarized a home in San Rafael.

The suspects were tentatively identified as Martin Hernandez, 29, Carlos Alberto Ousset-Orozco, 34, Julio Gomez-Herrera, 26, Carlos Andres Lopez-Diaz, 23, and Miguel Romero-Morales, 37. They were booked into jail for charges including burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property.

Detectives are working to determine if they are associated with other similar burglaries.

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