Sophisticated ‘Burglary Tourists’ Fly from South America to Rob Wealthy Homes
March 16th, 2024Via: Los Angeles Times:
Increasingly over the last five years, police officials say, thieves from South American nations have entered the U.S. for the purpose of committing robberies. In the case of Chile, authorities suspect some criminals are taking advantage of the tourist visa system, which does not require a background check for travelers. Once in the country, police say, they plan heist sprees and fence the loot before dispatching their earnings back home.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told The Times that South American theft groups are not new in L.A., but they have become more active in recent months.
…
“They often target homes often connected to open spaces, hiking trails and canyons that give them access,” Hamilton said.
The groups mostly hit wealthy neighborhoods where homes have jewelry and high-value items that can be easily exchanged for cash, he said.
“They tend to not carry guns. They don’t want to get gun charges,” Hamilton said. “They sometimes carry jamming devices to disable home security systems.”
