Authorities arrest 3 Colombian nationals suspected of involvement in Southern California tourist burglary ring

Authorities have arrested three of the four suspects believed to have connected to a hidden camera found at a Southern California home earlier this year.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department released a statement saying the suspects arrested were identified as three Colombian nationals: 28-year-old Hames Lopez-Granados, 38-year-old Dany Alejandro Aponte-Abaunza and 27-year-old Jonathan Sierra-Rincon.

Officials said the investigation is still ongoing and efforts are underway to identify the fourth suspect in the case.

The arrests stem from an incident in May, when a Calabasas homeowner reported to police that he found a camouflaged hidden camera in a planter in the front yard of his home.

COLOMBIAN NATIONAL RELEASED WEEKS EARLIER IS AMONG GROUP OF ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ‘BURGLARY TOURISM’ IN CALIFORNIA

Police shared images of the camera and battery that a local resident turned in after finding it in his flower bed. (Malibu/Lost Hills Station)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told FOX 11 that South American gangs of thieves, often made up of Chilean or Colombian nationals, are known to use covert tactics such as hiding surveillance equipment in natural environments such as leaves and bushes.

Officials say these organized criminal groups travel across the states committing burglaries and thefts, often using restricted tourist visas.

Authorities are urging the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious devices.

MICHIGAN COUNTY SHOCKED BY ‘BURGLARY TOURISM’ AS FOREIGN CRIME GANGS ABUSE US VISA DECLARATION PROGRAM

In the suspects’ car, police found surveillance cameras camouflaged with leaves. (Glendale Police Department)

On September 3, the Riverside Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau and the Southwest Station Investigation Bureau executed a search warrant in a Los Angeles neighborhood, arresting three suspects.

All three suspects were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of conspiracy and burglary, authorities said.

No additional details are available, but investigators encourage anyone with information to contact Lead Investigator Angel Gasparini at the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696–3000.

‘Burglary tourism’ plagues Southern California as unchecked foreigners loot luxury homes

Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, and 29-year-old Luis Carlos Moreno were also arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, police said. (Glendale Police Department)

A week before the Calabasas camera was discovered, Glendale police arrested four Colombian nationals in connection with what they called a “burglary tourism” ring. Similar to the Malibu case, the suspects allegedly placed cameras in a planter outside one of the homes.

Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid previously said the arrests highlighted the “ongoing challenges” officers face in keeping the community safe.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“While it is frustrating to arrest the same suspect for a similar offense, it will not diminish our resolve to protect Glendale,” Cid said. “Our officers are dedicated and will use all available resources to combat these crimes and ensure the safety of our residents.”

According to police, “burglary tourism” involves thieves from South America entering the US “under the guise of tourism and targeting wealthy neighborhoods for burglaries.”

Stephen Sorace of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.