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Members of an international theft group pled guilty on Tuesday to a series of home burglaries across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The suspects were identified as Laura Espinosa, 26, Kevin Nino, 26, Brayan Taborda, 27, and Johan Zambrano, 37. All four members are from Colombia, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
A fifth member of the group, John Zambrano, 36, had already been sentenced to one year in jail and 24 months of formal probation.
Authorities say the thieves are responsible for at least six different burglaries throughout Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Simi Valley and Westlake Village.
The group would show up at victims’ homes as a delivery person bringing food or flowers before ransacking them, officials said.
In one instance, the suspects escaped with over $15,000 in jewelry, watches and designer handbags.
Surveillance video showed the thieves targeted homes from May to June 2022, officials said.
A sentencing hearing for the group is scheduled for Feb. 15.
Authorities are noting a rise in thefts from South American crime rings. These theft groups are described as “crime tourists” involving professional South American burglars, typically from Colombia or Chile, who enter the country with the intent to rob wealthy homes or carry out large burglaries, according to The Washington Post.
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