Criminals part of an international theft ring use hidden cameras to burglarize homes

BRAINTREE, MA - Detectives with the Braintree Police Department (BPD) announced that three suspects involved in an international theft ring have targeted families in a Braintree neighborhood by spying on them with a camera that was hidden in some bushes.

According to CBS News, the suspects have been identified as Carlos Ocampo-Carrillo, Lizeth Hernandez-Gantiva, and Diana Maria Alvarado-Rosano. All three have been arrested in connection with a conspiracy to commit residential burglaries. Investigators said that the three suspects are connected to an organized international theft group, also known as South American Theft Groups. All three are from Colombia.

Surveillance video from inside one of the victim's homes shows the suspects crawling around the living room. During this incident, which took place on June 20th, the criminals tripped the alarm two different times while making their way through the home. The family, afraid of retaliation, did not want to share their identities, but does want to warn others to be vigilant. 

The victim said, "It's really, really terrifying honestly ... you wouldn't think that it would happen to you. It's really, really shocking." According to police, what is even more alarming is that the thieves knew exactly when to strike because they had been spying on the family with a small camera hidden in the bushes across from the victim's home.

Investigators said the incident is part of a bigger crime ring scheme where thieves are hiding cameras and spying on the homes they plan to target. One resident, Kailynn Needle, said that she spotted the camera in the bushes but didn't think anything dishonest was going on. She said, "I was like this is weird why would you have a camera there because they have a Ring camera so it was just weird that it would be in the bushes."

Needle added, "It was standing up facing up so it would face the house and it had duct tape around it so that it would be camouflaged into the bushes." Thankfully, another neighbor saw the camera and did call police. Neighbor Dan Lake said, "The irony of it is that I saw these people several times and I don't remember all that much about them, kind of just a passing thought. Walked by them, waved, didn't hear anything from them and didn't think much of them."

He added, "Only until after all this happened that I think, 'wow, it's scary that those were the people who were likely watching this house for an opportune time to rob it.'" 

In order to catch the three suspects, police said that they set up a surveillance mission to catch them. Police told the victims to pack up and pretend to go on vacation for a few days. So, the victims drove to Logan Airport. After they left, undercover officers saw a man dressed in all black, with a mask and backpack come back to the house and the hidden camera. 

After a foot chase and a struggle, police were able to catch the man. The two women were also arrested in the getaway car. The victim said, "I would feel better if like other people in the group gets caught and stop burglarizing other people's homes."

According to Boston 25 News, Ocampo-Carrillo is charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of conspiracy, breaking and entering, and possession of burglarious tools. Alvarado-Rosano is charged with providing false information following an arrest, conspiracy, and possession of burglarious tools. 

Hernandez-Gantiva is charged with conspiracy and possession of burglarious tools. All three may also face federal immigration charges. All three were arraigned at Quincy District Court. In a statement, authorities said, "The Braintree Police Department would like to thank Immigration and Custom Enforcement - Emergency Removal Operations (Boston) for their assistance in this case."