5 Arrested For Baltimore County Home Break-Ins Part Of ‘South American Theft Group,’ Police Say

Five members of an organized crime ring were arrested in Baltimore County in connection with a string of local home break-ins and several more across the country, authorities said.

(L-R) Gabriel Matamala-Ponce, Crisosto-Araya, Jorge Gatica-Vergara, Luis Oyanedel-Valenzuela, Gabriel Miranda-Gonzalez — (L-R) Gabriel Matamala-Ponce, Crisosto-Araya, Jorge Gatica-Vergara, Luis Oyanedel-Valenzuela, Gabriel Miranda-Gonzalez
Photo Credit: *Baltimore County Police Department*

Valerie Musson

03/13/2024 10:39 a.m.

The following suspects were charged with first-degree burglary and other burglary-related offenses, Baltimore County Police said Tuesday, March 12:

Gabriel Matamala-Ponce, 20
Crisosto-Araya, 21
Jorge Gatica-Vergara, 22
Luis Oyanedel-Valenzuela, 23
Gabriel Miranda-Gonzalez, 27

Their arrests came during a burglary investigation at a home on the 2300 block of Tufton Springs Ln. around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. All five suspects were found attempting to flee the area in a vehicle and taken into custody.

They are believed to be members of a South American Theft Group, an organized crime ring consisting of highly skilled thieves who come to the US primarily from Chile and Colombia and target wealthy homes.

Detectives have also linked the suspects to four other residential burglaries in Baltimore County along with cases in North Carolina, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

All five suspects remain held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

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