INDIANA – The Federal Bureau of Investigations Indianapolis is warning Hoosiers to take precautions; however, international criminals are operating in the area and targeting the homes of families who leave town.
The FBI said these theft groups typically comprise individuals from South American countries operating in organized theft rings nationwide. Members of these groups have already been caught and arrested for burglaries and thefts in Kokomo, Greenfield, and several other cities in Hamilton County.
The FBI said these groups are known to target homes in affluent neighborhoods but are also likely responsible for distraction robberies in grocery stores, like when several South American women were busted for stealing from shoppers’ purses in Kokomo. The FBI said thieves often try to steal credit cards from wallets to purchase pre-paid gift cards.
The FBI said that home burglaries committed by these groups often include the thieves monitoring the home and learning the victims’ schedules before striking while the residents are out of town. The groups usually focus on the master bedroom and take jewelry, accessories, and cash.
Just recently, multiple members of a South American theft group pleaded guilty to stealing $250,000 in bags and jewelry from a gated community in Carmel.
“This crime is definitely on the FBI’s radar, and we are tracking identified international organized theft groups to intercept them as they move between targets and are working with our law enforcement partners to mitigate the threat,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton.
The FBI recommends the following precautions to avoid becoming a victim of these theft groups:
- Vary your daily routine
- Don’t post on social media that you’re on vacation
- Utilize a doorbell camera with an alarm system
- Keep inside lights on with timers
- Take photos of valuables and keep those items in a safe
- Don’t leave large amounts of cash in the home
Anyone with information about these international theft group operations can contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
