Two young individuals, Jorge Gomez Cereceda, aged 23, and Constanza Gonzalez-Rozas, aged 22, have been taken into custody concerning a burglary that took place on December 29, 2023, in Paradise Valley, as per officials. The crime, involving the theft of items with an estimated value of over $280,000, appears to be part of a larger pattern of criminal activity orchestrated by a group known as the South American Theft Group (SATG). In a statement released on October 14, obtained by FOX10 Phoenix, police affirmed the connection between the suspects' activities and the SATG, with probable cause established leading to their arrest.
The suspects were reportedly detained by law enforcement in Colorado and California due to incidents unrelated to the Paradise Valley theft. They are currently awaiting extradition to Arizona on arrest warrants. Previously in February and March, as noted by FOX10 Phoenix, members with alleged ties to SATG were connected to a spate of "dinner-time burglaries" in the Phoenix area and subsequently faced new charges by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
The Paradise Valley Police Department, while addressing the issue, has taken the opportunity to remind the community about the importance of home security measures. In a detailed post shared on CrimeWatch, officials emphasized the necessity of securing one's property by closing garages when they're not in use, locking doors, and activating alarm systems. They further recommended the use of motion and glass break sensors as critical components of any security setup. Community Resource Officer Jimmy Phan was highlighted as a contact for residents seeking a home security survey or advice on enhancing their home safety.
