Authorities have detained three members of a “prolific” burglary gang linked to dozens of home invasions that targeted Asian-American and Pacific Islander residents in San Jose and the South Bay.
San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph made the arrests of 25-year-old Alberto Ibarra Vallejo, 28-year-old Gonzalo Valencia Ramos, and 46-year-old Jaime Martinez Arroyo public during a press conference on Wednesday. On January 16, warrants were executed in San Joaquin County’s Stockton, Hayward, and French Camp with the assistance of other agencies, and the suspects were taken into custody.
Additionally, 700 pieces of evidence, including watches, jewelry, cash, handbags, and family heirlooms, were recovered by the authorities. Additionally, five firearms—three of which were taken from residences in Vallejo and San Jose—were confiscated.
Joseph described the suspects as a “prolific group of criminals” and stated that since June, the three had been connected to about 80 burglaries that have occurred in West San Jose and nearby areas in the western Santa Clara Valley.
“These crimes have deeply impacted our communities, instilling fear and preying on many vulnerable families,” stated Joseph.
The suspects, the chief said, are members of a wider team that “methodically cased neighborhoods and targeted households believed to be occupied by AAPI families.” Targeting jewels, expensive handbags, and cash, the burglars would frequently enter through the residences’ back yards and glass sliding doors.
Detectives were able to link “large numbers” of the burglaries to the suspects during the investigation, which involved the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office and nearby law enforcement agencies. There is a connection between about 30 burglaries in San Jose, 18 in Cupertino and Saratoga, 20 in Mountain View, and 10 in Campbell.
After one of the suspects was identified using video from a doorbell camera, detectives claimed they had a breakthrough in the investigation.
“Their painstaking research, which involved assembling a vast amount of data, has paid off. Holding these offenders responsible for their actions is just as important as retrieving a big quantity of stolen items, Joseph stated.
The chief estimates that the total losses resulting from the burglaries reach $1 million.
For their efforts on the case, authorities were congratulated by Mayor Matt Mahan. “For roughly six months, our AAPI community in the West San Jose region has lived in fear, as home after home has been broken into and residents have wondered if they are next,” stated the mayor.
“Once again, we have made clear in San Jose that if you come here to commit crime, to harm our residents, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice,” Mahan continued.
Joseph stated that they would keep looking for the other suspects and will advocate for hate crime enhancements against those who were detained.
“We will not rest until we’re positive every member of this burglary ring is apprehended,” he stated.
It is recommended that anyone with more information on the burglaries get in touch with their local police department or the burglary unit of the San Jose Police Department.
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.