Police in Santa Rosa, California, have arrested several Colombian nationals involved in a sophisticated theft operation targeting Asian business owners across multiple Bay Area cities. The criminal group employed advanced surveillance techniques, including camouflaged trail cameras, night vision goggles, and multiple cellphones to monitor their victims.
According to Sgt. Patricia Seffens of the Santa Rosa Police Department, the suspects, who possessed counterfeit Mexican passports, specifically targeted the private residences of Asian business owners rather than their commercial establishments. The criminal activities extended across four cities, including Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Union City, and Vallejo.
The arrests were facilitated by Santa Rosa’s real-time crime center, which utilized automated license plate readers to track and apprehend the suspects. Over a 14-month period, authorities identified 11 victims of Asian descent in Santa Rosa alone, with investigations ongoing to determine the full extent of the group’s activities.
“We still haven’t been able to positively ID all five of these suspects,” said Sgt. Seffens, noting that the perpetrators used various disguises, including work gear and FedEx uniforms, to conduct their operations.
Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp emphasized the significance of these arrests for the city’s growing Asian community, which comprises approximately 5% of the local population. The Sonoma County District Attorney’s office is yet to announce whether the suspects will face jail time or deportation.
Source: FOX News
