GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) — Four Colombians suspected of being part of an international “robber tourism” ring were arrested after a traffic stop in Glendale, police said Tuesday, with one man’s recent arrest He said it was the second time.
On Monday at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Glendale police sergeant observed a vehicle traveling without its headlights on near the intersection of Emerald Isle Road and Kirkham Street, police said. A search of the vehicle uncovered “video surveillance equipment with a battery pack charging system camouflaged with leaves,” police said in a statement.
“This evidence, combined with soil that had just been found in a planter on the cul-de-sac, led Glendale detectives to believe that the suspect had placed cameras strategically in the planter. This way, the suspect could see the residence and We were able to create a sophisticated way for landlords to know when to leave,” police added.
Police said a construction helmet and vest – items typically used as a ploy to approach a home with minimal suspicion – and several jewelry boxes were also recovered.
Detectives identified the suspects as 28-year-old Brian Martinez Vargas, 28-year-old Jose Antonio Velazquez, 27-year-old Edison Arley Pinson Fandino and 29-year-old Luis Moreno.
The arrest is Vargas’ second in the past month. Police said Vargas was arrested along with 45-year-old William Guanume on April 30 after a brief pursuit.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of Boston Avenue around 3:30 p.m. that day on a report of a residential burglary in progress. Officers observed Vargas and Guanume leaving the scene in a gray Toyota. Police said the suspects were eventually spotted by other officers on the Second Freeway and a pursuit began.
“As the suspects fled from officers, they began discarding evidence from the vehicle,” police said.
The suspects were driving eastbound on Interstate 134 and attempted to exit at Figueroa Street, but failed to make the turn off the on-ramp. Police said the Toyota crashed into a grassy hillside and officers took both suspects into custody.
“Subsequent investigation determined that the discarded items were in fact stolen from the target’s residence. Notably, officers discovered a WiFi signal jamming device that was left powered on and operational,” police said.
“Signal blocking devices allow individuals to illegally enter homes undetected. The technology disrupts domestic WiFi systems and cuts off power to traditional home security systems and cameras, rendering them ineffective in alerting homeowners and law enforcement to the presence of intruders,” police added.
Police said Guanume and Vargas were being investigated for their alleged involvement in an international criminal operation known as “klepto-tourism,” in which thieves from South America enter the United States under false names or as tourists and target wealthy neighborhoods to commit residential burglaries.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact them at (818) 548-4911.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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