Connect with us

Latest

String of burglaries rocking LA residential area committed by South American gangs, DA says

Published

on

Seven people are facing felony charges in connection with a string of organized residential burglaries targeting homes across Los Angeles County, including at least 20 break-ins tied to crews operating throughout the San Fernando Valley, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the suspects are accused of carrying out “brazen, calculated and predatory” crimes that left victims feeling unsafe inside their own homes.

“These organized burglary crews target hardworking families in the very place they should feel safest, their homes,” Hochman said during a news conference. “If you come into our communities to terrorize neighborhoods and prey on innocent people, law enforcement will track you down and you will be held accountable.”

Authorities said the cases highlight a growing problem involving sophisticated burglary crews, including organized South American theft groups, operating across Southern California using advanced tactics to avoid detection and target affluent neighborhoods.

HOMEOWNERS IN LEAFY ENCLAVES HIT BY BURGLARS ZEROING IN ON HIGH-END HOMES FOR SMASH-AND-GRAB SCORES

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents that many crews conduct extensive surveillance before burglaries, often monitoring victims’ social media posts for expensive purchases or vacation photos that indicate homes may be empty.

“Please, whatever you do, don’t tell the world you’re in Paris when you live in LA,” Luna said.

Investigators said some crews disguise themselves as delivery drivers using fake DoorDash, Uber Eats or Amazon bags to approach homes without raising suspicion. Others use hidden cameras disguised as landscaping decorations and Wi-Fi jamming devices designed to disable home security systems and cloud-connected surveillance cameras.

BURGLARS CAUGHT SPYING ON HOMES WITH HIDDEN CAMOUFLAGED CAMERAS BEFORE STRIKING NEIGHBORHOODS

One of the largest cases involves Byron Gonzálo Sáez Sotomayor, also known as Kevin Diaz, who prosecutors say is charged with 15 counts of first-degree residential burglary, three counts of attempted first-degree residential burglary and one count of grand theft of a firearm.

Authorities allege Sáez Sotomayor burglarized or attempted to burglarize 18 homes throughout the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles between January 2025 and May 2026, including homes in Reseda, Van Nuys, Encino, Granada Hills, Sun Valley, Beverlywood and Westwood. Prosecutors said he allegedly stole jewelry, handbags, money and a firearm.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Sáez Sotomayor was arrested May 4 after allegedly breaking into a home in the Beverlywood area while a resident was inside the house.

BRAD PITT’S LA HOME BURGLARY LEADS TO 4 ARRESTS IN ONGOING POLICE INVESTIGATION

According to McDonnell, the homeowner saw the suspect on surveillance cameras after hearing a loud crash at the rear of the property and locked himself inside a bathroom before calling 911.

Three other suspects — Christopher Sanchez, Owen Rivera-Chacon and Edisson Fabian Boyaca — were each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary stemming from an alleged May 1 burglary in Santa Clarita.

Authorities said investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office tracked the suspected crew into Los Angeles County before coordinating with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on a takedown operation along a freeway.

MASKED BURGLARY CREWS TERRORIZING RITZY NEIGHBORHOODS SHOW ‘THEY’RE DOING THEIR HOMEWORK,’ VETERAN COP WARNS

Deputies arrested Sanchez after stopping a vehicle on the freeway, while Rivera-Chacon allegedly fled on foot before being found in a nearby dry streambed. Boyaca was later arrested driving another vehicle roughly one mile away, authorities said.

Investigators recovered jewelry, cash, a luxury handbag, gloves, burglary tools and a Wi-Fi jammer from the suspects’ vehicles, according to law enforcement officials.

Rivera-Chacon also faces allegations tied to a prior strike conviction for residential burglary and could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted. Sanchez and Boyaca each face up to six years behind bars.

HIDDEN CAMERAS LURKING IN YOUR GARDEN MIGHT BE WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE, OFFICIALS SAY

The final case announced Tuesday involves Wilmar Santiago Castelblanco-Robles, Alan Rolando Rodriguez-Pulido and Cristian Rios-Cuadros, who are each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary tied to an alleged April 26 break-in at a home in Burbank.

Authorities said neighbors saw suspects breaking into the home and called police. Investigators allege Rios-Cuadros and Castelblanco-Robles fled on foot before officers used a police helicopter equipped with a heat-detection device to locate them hiding nearby.

Rodriguez-Pulido was later arrested while allegedly driving the suspected getaway vehicle, where officers recovered wallets, high-end handbags, watches and jewelry believed to have been stolen from other victims.

Luna said residential burglaries reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have dropped more than 30% since 2022, though he acknowledged crime statistics provide little comfort to victims whose homes were invaded.

“A victim that has had their sanctuary broken into — I don’t care what statistics say,” Luna said. “They broke into my house and I don’t feel safe sleeping there. That’s why we’re all up here. That’s why we will continue to work our butts off to make sure that we catch these individuals.”

Continue Reading

Latest

Max Kellerman Blasts James Harden’s Trash Performance With Incredibly Ridiculous Trump Comparison

Published

on

And this is why I don’t watch sports media
Continue Reading

Latest

Himes on Raul Castro: He Might Have Broken Law, Trump Admin. Did ‘Illegal Actions’ on ‘Drug Runners’

Published

on

On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “Situation Room,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) discussed possible legal action against Raul Castro and said that “Legal accountability is critical. And, by the way, the Trump administration people may think about that as they undertake

The post Himes on Raul Castro: He Might Have Broken Law, Trump Admin. Did ‘Illegal Actions’ on ‘Drug Runners’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Continue Reading

Latest

Joey Chestnut will defend Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest title on July 4 while serving probation sentence

Published

on

Joey Chestnut will be in Coney Island defending his Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 despite being on probation.

Chestnut pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge on April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation in Hamilton County, Indiana.

However, “Jaws” was granted permission to travel outside the state, which allows him to participate in the event he’s won 17 times, including this past year, on July 4 in New York City. He had previously filed petitions to travel outside Indiana with the Hot Dog Eating Contest taking place.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Chestnut, regarded as one of the best competitive eaters of all time, was accused of slapping a man in the face during a night out at an Indiana bar around 2 a.m. on March 21, per Us Weekly. He later told authorities that he was drunk and didn’t recall the interaction with the man.

The man also claimed he recognized and approached Chestnut while at the bar and shook his hand before he was slapped on the left side of his face.

JOEY CHESTNUT SENTENCED TO PROBATION AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO DRUNKENLY SLAPPING A MAN AT BAR

“The accused pulled [the victim] forward, moves closer and uses his right hand to strike [the victim] on the face with an open hand. [The victim] is observed reacting to the strike and moving his head downward and holding it there while the accused stands over him and [his friend],” the officer said in an affidavit obtained by Us Weekly. “[Chestnut] moves toward [the victim] again and [the victim] moves away from the accused.

“The touching was nude, insolent or angry because the open-handed strike was nonconsensual to the victim in a manner that caused pain while the accused allegedly used provocative language toward the victim to illicit a reaction.”

Chestnut’s attorney, Mario Massillamany, said that his client took “full responsibility for this misunderstanding,” the outlet reported.

Chestnut will be going for his 18th title in his last 19 attempts, though he may have had another one if not for Nathan’s banning him from competition in 2024. He had signed a deal with Nathan’s rival, Impossible Foods, prior to the competition.

But Chestnut and organizers of the event found common ground on sponsorships before the 2025 contest.

He went on to consume 70.5 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute timeframe.

Now that he’s locked in for the contest, Chestnut should be the overwhelming favorite. He’s also coming off a victory in the 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown in Tennessee, winning the event three years straight now. Chestnut ate 16 pounds of sausage in eight minutes, setting a new world record.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 Political Signal