In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities apprehended seven individuals linked to a South American Theft Group (SATG) on Friday, following their involvement in burglaries in the Phoenix area. This criminal group is believed to have conducted heists in both Tempe and Mesa on May 23, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
The arrest came after a tip-off from the Burbank Police Department in California, which warned Arizona officials of the gang’s activities across several states, including California and Oregon. Authorities had been monitoring the group from May 20, culminating in their capture at a short-term rental property where they were staying.
Investigators observed the suspects coordinating their criminal activities at the burglarized homes during their surveillance period. The suspects, ranging in age from 23 to 38, have been identified as Nicolas Rojas Leon, Joan Sebastian Orozco-Vargas, Andres David Sanchez-Novoa, Natalia Isabella Ortiz-Daza, Martha Juliana Echiverri-Guzman, Lady Johanna Gueito, and Angie Paola Hernandez-Manrique. Each individual awaits legal proceedings in the Maricopa County Jail, with a bond set at $150,000.
Among the stolen items traced back to the group was a French Bulldog, which police have committed to returning to its rightful owner. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of cross-state theft rings and the collaborative efforts by law enforcement to address these criminal networks.
Source: www.foxnews.com
