In a late-night sting, Glendale cops nabbed a quartet of Colombian nationals accused of being career burglars, tagging one member of the group with his second arrest in just three weeks. The Glendale Police Department reported that Bryan Martinez Vargas, a 28-year-old Colombian resident, and his alleged accomplices were caught in the Emerald Isle area this past Monday, May 20.
Busted driving sans headlights, the suspects' car was quickly marked by a vigilant sergeant as suspicious, rightly so, it emerged from a dead-end at around 10:31 p.m. A routine traffic stop soon turned into a full-blown operation when officers unearthed a stash of jewelry boxes, and a conveniently leaf-covered surveillance device with a charging system - likely used to monitor the comings and goings of homeowners.
Upon further investigation, the officers also discovered a construction hard hat and a vest, suspected to be tools of deceit to approach targeted homes under the guise of workers. Vargas, together with Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, and Luis Carlos Moreno, 29, were slapped with conspiracy to commit burglary charges.
This arrest looped back to an earlier chase on April 30, involving Vargas and one William Guanume, 45, in a sequence that had them dispensing stolen property, including a device to jam WiFi signals, presumably to knock out home security systems. According to the Glendale Police, the group is connected to "Burglary Tourism," a grim trend of South Americans masquerading as tourists to execute thefts in affluent U.S. neighborhoods.
"While it is frustrating to apprehend the same suspect for a similar offense, it will not diminish our resolve to protect Glendale," Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid stated. The task force behind these arrests, established in response to a spike in burglaries in 2023, comprises diverse units, packing contemporary tech and a heavy patrol presence.
And though these arrests mark another victory, Glendale PD pledges to persist in proactive patrols, maintaining diligence in the fight against crime. The department encourages locals to remain alert and report any suspicious activity, proving that in Glendale, the community and the cops stand as one against any who dare disrupt their peace.
