4 Colombian nationals arrested for alleged ‘burglary tourism’ in Southern California

Tony Kurzweil
·2 min read
3

Four Colombian nationals were arrested this week in connection with an operation known as “burglary tourism” in Glendale, police said.

Investigators believe the four men were hiding cameras on city streets and private property to spy on residents and find out when they could burglarize their homes.

The Police Department released video of Monday’s arrest when they pulled over a vehicle that was being driven without headlights.

  • Bryan Martinez Vargas is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
    Bryan Martinez Vargas is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
  • Jose Antonio Velazquez is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
    Jose Antonio Velazquez is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
  • Luis Carlos Moreno is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
    Luis Carlos Moreno is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
  • Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
    Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino is seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
  • Items used in the alleged burglaries are seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.
    Items used in the alleged burglaries are seen in an image provided by the Glendale Police Department.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a video surveillance device with a battery pack charging system camouflaged with leaves.

Construction hard hats and a vest believed to be used to approach homes without suspicion and several jewelry boxes were also discovered inside the vehicle, according to the police department.

The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Bryan Martinez Vargas, Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, and Luis Carlos Moreno, 29.

The men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Monday’s arrest was the second in three weeks for Vargas who was also arrested following a high-speed pursuit on April 30.

During the chase, police say he and another suspect discarded stolen items and a WiFi signal jammer used to disable home security systems.

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“Bryan Martinez Vargas and the other Colombian nationals are believed to be part of a transnational criminal operation known as ‘Burglary Tourism,’ where thieves from South America enter the U.S. under the guise of tourism and target affluent neighborhoods for burglaries,” the Police Department said.

Anyone with further information about residential burglaries in Glendale was asked to call the Police Department at 818-548-4911.

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