A string of sophisticated home burglaries in South Florida has led to the arrest of a suspected lookout after a car crash escape attempt. Vairon Maldonado-Camargo, 22, faces a litany of charges including masked burglary, and assaulting an officer, authorities have reported.
Following a high-speed chase, Maldonado-Camargo was apprehended Thursday, bringing the total arrests to eight for the burglary ring that has recently haunted the area. According to a report by NBC Miami, the group is believed to have broken into more than 20 homes, with the one on Dec. 5 triggering the surveillance that ultimately led to their capture.
During the December 5 incident, officers tracked two vehicles to a Doral residence, identified from previous burglaries, resulting in the capture of seven suspects. Maldonado-Camargo, meanwhile managed to elude authorities until last Thursday's crash. The suspects allegedly used an electric scooter for lookouts, donned masks for the break-in, and placed a radio jammer to thwart police communication, according to arrest reports obtained by Spot On Florida.
The spree of burglaries has been a major concern for local law enforcement, with the Doral Police Chief describing the operations as the work of a larger criminal enterprise. "These gangs, these criminal enterprises are usually connected not only locally but at the state and national level as well,” Chief Edwin Lopez told NBC Miami. The hope is that these arrests will lead to solving numerous cases across South Florida and maybe, even beyond state lines.
While fleeing police Maldonado-Camargo slammed into another vehicle resulting in injuries that required treatment for him, and two other victims. Reports from the scene indicate that officers used a Taser to subdue the suspect after a foot chase.
