Organized South American crime group burglarizes over 60 high-end Houston-area homes targeting designer goods

More than 60 high-end homes crossed the Houston country person been deed successful a sweeping burglary spree tied to a South American theft ringing utilizing awesome jammers and counter-surveillance tactics to evade detection, West University Place Police Chief Gary Ratliff confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The organized transgression network, known arsenic the South American Theft Group (SATG), has been linked to galore break-ins successful West University Place, surrounding counties and crossed the country, authorities said.

Residents packed a nationalist information gathering Wednesday nighttime successful West University Place, wherever Ratliff warned that the group’s footprint is expanding beyond Houston.

"It was shocking," nonmigratory Bill Jones told FOX 26 successful Houston. "People from South America terrorizing Americans. That’s beauteous scary and unfortunate. I’m truly amazed nary 1 has gotten hurt."

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A Houston burglary spree was recovered to beryllium tied to a South American theft ring, according to officials. (Fox 26 Houston)

Seven of the burglaries occurred successful West University Place alone, and constabulary accidental the cases travel a accordant playbook.

Investigators said suspects people second-story windows astatine the rear of homes betwixt 7 and 9 p.m., climbing ladders oregon patio furnishings earlier breaking solid oregon prying windows unfastened with screwdrivers. The burglars allegedly reposition information cameras, deploy awesome jammers to disrupt alarm and Wi-Fi systems and transportation stolen spot distant successful pillowcases and backpacks.

The suspects chiefly bargain high-value items, including decorator purses and jewelry. In 1 case, residents were location erstwhile burglars entered, though they did not brushwood the suspects.

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Ignacio Castillo Contreras was arrested successful February 2025 for alleged forced introduction into a home, and the West University Police said helium was successful possession of jewelry and a vigor frequence jammer. (West University Place Police)

According to Ratliff’s presentation, 4 break-ins and 3 attempted break-ins person been reported since January 2025, and each 7 look accordant with the group’s methods.

Authorities said the enactment is besides nether probe successful California, Florida, Wisconsin and New York, suggesting the Houston cases whitethorn beryllium portion of a broader nationwide operation.

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Ignacio Castillo Contreras was arrested successful February 2025 for alleged forced introduction into a home, and the West University Police said helium was successful possession of jewelry and a vigor frequence jammer. (West University Place Police)

"Most of these folks, they're beauteous intelligent," Ratliff said. "They're utilizing burner phones, they're utilizing different accusation that makes it precise hard to follow."

Last year, officers arrested Chilean nationalist Ignacio Castillo Contreras successful transportation with 1 of the burglaries successful which jewelry was stolen. Police person besides identified Christian Mauricio Rubio Pizarro arsenic a idiosyncratic of interest, though nary charges person been filed against him. He is presently facing unrelated charges successful Houston and remains jailed connected an migration hold.

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Investigators accidental the lawsuit remains progressive arsenic authorities enactment to forestall further burglaries successful the community.