Following a string of recent break-ins in Santa Rosa, police said Tuesday that they had detained five suspected members of a South American theft ring that preyed on Asian residents of the city last month.
In a press release, Santa Rosa police stated that Union City police had notified the department and other agencies about burglaries that targeted Asian-American company owners at their residences. According to the study, the victims were spread throughout several jurisdictions, including Santa Rosa, where police reported at least 11 Asian victims had been burglarized in their homes in the previous 14 months.
Assuming that residents of the enclave keep substantial sums of money and jewels in their homes, the burglaries are part of a national trend in which theft organizations from Colombia and other South American nations target Asian victims.
Using automatic license plate reader cameras, Santa Rosa police investigators collaborated with their Union City counterparts to identify a car linked to the break-ins. A subscriber with an Asian last name called Santa Rosa police on December 18, 2024, regarding a house alarm. According to authorities, a local witness gave the license plate number of a suspicious car spotted close to the victim’s residence.
Using data from computerized license plate readers, detectives tracked the car in Santa Rosa. The information they gathered led them to Vallejo, where they found two of the automobiles involved, according to the police. At an Airbnb home said to have been rented by the suspects, surveillance teams from many department sections, including gangs, violent crimes, narcotics, and property crimes, started keeping an eye on the cars and the individuals connected to them.
According to authorities, on December 19, 2024, the surveillance team observed four suspects hurriedly packing their cars with what seemed to be stolen goods. The suspects fled in various directions but were swiftly apprehended, according to Santa Rosa police detectives and uniformed officers who had been stationed nearby to arrest them. The surveillance crew swiftly apprehended a fifth suspect as they fled the rental house.
Police added that after executing a search warrant, they discovered evidence of a sophisticated burglary ring, including GPS units, camouflaged trail cameras, over a dozen cellphones, clothes for delivery drivers, tools and clothing for yard care, and night vision goggles. High-end goods including jewelry and designer handbags were also confiscated, along with an undisclosed sum of money.
According to police, surveillance teams had tracked both cars to a San Rafael neighborhood earlier that day, but they were unable to identify whether the suspects were performing a house burglary or stalking a possible victim. Detectives discovered evidence that the suspects had broken into a house in San Rafael after they returned to Vallejo and served the search warrant.
The accused, according to the police, are Colombian nationals who are part of a South American thievery ring that targets Asian business owners by moving from city to city. They were identified as Miguel Romero-Morales, 37; Julio Gomez-Herrera, 26; Carlos Andres Lopez-Diaz, 23; Carlos Alberto Ousset-Orozco, 34; and Martin Hernandez, 29. Since some of the suspects were discovered in possession of phony Mexican passports and other possibly phony identifying cards, their identification is inconclusive.
Charges of burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen items, resisting arrest, and two new penal code crimes originating from California’s Prop 36 law—excessive stealing and acting in concert—were brought against the five suspects when they were taken into Sonoma County Jail on December 20, 2024.
A judge in Sonoma County granted a no-bail order for all five defendants after detectives requested an increase in bond due to their forged identity credentials and flight risk.
Similar residential burglaries in Santa Rosa and other cities are thought to be connected to the same set of perpetrators.
The Santa Rosa Police Department encouraged community residents to come forward with any information that could assist with the burglary investigations, stating that it was collaborating with other jurisdictions on them.
The persistent targeting of members of the Asian community across the country strongly concerns us. In a news release, the Santa Rosa Police Department said, “We want to reassure our community that we are fully committed to investigating these crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.” “To guarantee the protection of every citizen, we are collaborating closely with local authorities and other law enforcement organizations, and we urge anyone with information to come forward. Our department is committed to safeguarding all residents of our city and supports the Asian community.”
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.