A wave of sophisticated burglaries is causing unease in the Valley, with Scottsdale residents bearing the brunt of these thefts. According to 12News, a South American crime ring known as the "Dinnertime Burglars" has been targeting luxury homes in the area since October 2023, with 23 confirmed break-ins. These incidents typically happen in the early evening, suggesting a calculated approach from the burglars, preying upon empty homes.
This recent string of burglaries follows a similar pattern to previous crimes linked to Chilean crime groups, with Scottsdale police indicating that these criminals typically hit properties bordering golf courses and wash areas. The thieves opt for high-value, easily transportable goods such as jewelry and cash. Nick Beyette, a 16-year resident of a Peoria neighborhood shaken by such break-ins, expressed his alarm, telling azfamily.com, "That’s even more frightening because that nature of those people, we don’t know how violent they can be, or what kind of crimes they’ve possibly committed."
The Paradise Valley Police Department has issued recommendations for residents to safeguard their valuables and advised subscribing to their Crime Watch for the latest information and alerts. The department also offers home security reviews to bolster local defenses against these intrusions. Moreover, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office emphasized the importance of homeowners taking additional security measures, such as installing cameras and alarm systems and ensuring that homes are secured prior to leaving.
Local law enforcement has been on high alert, with several agencies across the Valley cooperating in a multi-agency investigation to apprehend these elusive suspects. Scottsdale police are hopeful that clues like security video and DNA evidence from blood left at a scene will lead to arrests. In one instance, residents reported seeing "three cars, a truck, and two cars speeding out" of a neighborhood, indicating the use of vehicles to quickly flee the scene of the crime. These break-ins are not isolated to Scottsdale, spreading across Phoenix, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley, and even touching other states, underscoring the widespread reach of the criminal network.
