Law enforcement officials arrested five suspects last week in the burglaries of 21 homes in Aurora, police announced Tuesday.
The suspects, all identified as Colombian nationals, were part of a “highly sophisticated crew” that over the last year surveilled potential victims and used WiFi jammers to bypass home alarm systems, the Aurora Police Department said in a social media post.
The suspects targeted their victims by following and watching them, putting trackers on their vehicles and placing cameras around their homes to see when they would leave, said Joe Moylan, Aurora police spokesman.
“The suspects went to the great lengths… to ensure they were burglarizing homes when no one was home,” Moylan said in an email.
Moylan said the suspects are in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though he does expect state charges to be filed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The suspects were arrested on felony charges of attempted second-degree burglary or conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, according to the post.
The Aurora Police Department led the multi-agency operation to arrest the crew on Thursday. Police and officials from the Arapahoe and Douglas county sheriff’s offices served search and arrest warrants in central Aurora in the 1400 block of Fairplay Street and the 1400 block of Altura Boulevard.
During the operation, officials said they recovered stolen weapons, including handguns and rifles, as well as cash, jewelry, high-priced clothing and accessories.
The investigation also involved the Department of Homeland Security and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Unit.
The burglaries are still under investigation, and people can contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 with any information.
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