Homeowners are on edge as a troubling rise in residential burglaries continues targeting homes across Southern California.
Police said a recent uptick in burglaries across Redlands in San Bernardino County may be the work of a South American Theft Group.
The group comprises of foreign nationals who travel to the U.S. with the sole purpose of burglarizing homes or businesses before returning to their home countries with the stolen goods.
Detectives believe the South American Crime Group is responsible for committing hundreds of burglaries across Southern California.
In the Redlands area, police have responded to nearly half a dozen home burglaries within the last few weeks, with over tens of thousands of dollars worth of items stolen so far.
The suspects typically strike between 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and have recently been targeting homes with close access to a trail, beltway, hillside or open lot to avoid detection from neighbors when running away, according to Redlands police.
“I can tell by the way they went through our house that there was a crew of them,” said a victimized homeowner, who did not wish to be identified. “I could tell that they knew what they were looking for.”
The burglars typically show up in groups and may try to blend in by wearing construction vests, backpacks and face coverings. They may also be carrying construction equipment.
They often have “lookouts” who are sitting in vehicles parked outside the home during the break-in.
“The suspects enter in through either breaking glass or kicking a door in, a rear door,” said Carl Baker with the Redlands Police Department.
Over the past few weeks, most of the homes that were targeted were located in affluent neighborhoods on the south side of the city.
A Redlands woman who was targeted said she discovered a break-in on Feb. 3 as she arrived home from a Saturday night out.
The thieves smashed through a glass door into her bedroom and ransacked her home, going through every drawer they could find. They escaped with valuable jewelry and personal items.
“It just feels yucky,” said the Redlands woman who did not wish to be identified. “They came into our house. [They took] a ring that my children all went together to purchase and give to me.”
Police note these career criminals typically break into homes after the residents have left.
“In a lot of cases, we believe that this is a group that’s been working, not only in Southern California, but across the nation, called the South American Theft Group,” explained Baker.
For another victim, Randy Hansen, his home was targeted by thieves who climbed over a backyard fence and shattered a glass back door when he wasn’t home.
“Our answering machine said the security company had noticed somebody had tried to get in the back door and the garage,” Hansen said.
His home alarm was loud enough to scare off the thieves, but other homeowners in the area were not so lucky.
As the theft group remains at large, residents in the area remain on edge and said they are taking extra security measures to protect their homes. Many of them who have lived in the city for decades said they’ve never had to worry about their safety until now.
They’re hoping the suspects are caught soon before someone else becomes their next victim.
“I hope my story could help other people to take their own precautions and to do what they need to do protect themselves because it could happen to anyone,” said the Redlands woman.
Authorities are asking residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling Redlands Police dispatch at 909-798-7681. If possible, note the suspects’ description, their vehicle and the direction of travel when leaving.