Drones, GPS Trackers Used by Multi-State Burglary Ring With Victims in RI — Fugitive Arrested
Friday, April 26, 2024
A fugitive has been arrested and arraigned in a multi-state burglary ring, United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced on Friday.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Yoel Andres Barrera Garrido, 20, of New York, a fugitive wanted since December 2023 for his role in allegedly targeting business owners of Asian descent, was arrested, arraigned, and ordered detained in federal custody on Thursday.
A number of sophisticated technology methods were reportedly used by the suspects, including drones and GPS trackers.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBarrera Garrido, a Chilean national, was arrested in Grove City, OH, on March 11, 2024. He had been sought since December 13, 2023, when a federal indictment was returned against him; he was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment on April 3, 2024, charging him with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
About Case
It is alleged that Barrera Garrido participated in a conspiracy with three other individuals to identify and surveil business owners, typically of Asian descent, at the victims’ residences and businesses.
Members of the conspiracy then allegedly executed well-planned burglaries at their victims’ homes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Wisconsin, and Florida, typically targeting large sums of money, jewelry, credit and debit cards, and other valuable items.
As alleged in charging documents, in addition to surveilling individuals, the conspirators used drones and GPS trackers placed on vehicles to monitor victim’s movement and identify times when they were away from their residences.
They are also alleged to have used drones and lookouts to monitor law enforcement activity, and to have had a getaway car and driver at the ready while other conspirators broke into and burglarized the residences.
Barrera Garrido was ordered detained on Thursday following his return to Rhode Island and arraignment in U.S. District Court.
Other alleged members of the conspiracy, Mohammed Islam, 29, of Stamford, CT, a Bangladesh national, Basneyareth Rebollar Martinez, of Stamford, CT, a Mexican national, and Tania Valentina Espitia Cuellar, 24, a Columbian national whose local home address is unknown, have pleaded guilty in this matter and are detained while awaiting sentencing.
The defendants’ sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jorge Andres Cardenas Murillo, 30, of College Point, NY, was released on a GPS bracelet while awaiting trial on charges on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
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