South America ‘crime tourists’ targeting homes in burglaries, Delaware police say
The New Castle County Police Department said the groups mostly consist of several of Chilean or Columbian citizens.
A Delaware police department last week warned of "South American Theft Groups" burglarizing homes throughout the country after making several arrests.
"Crime tourists travel from state-to-state committing burglaries and thefts. These groups are often unrelated to each other but use similar methods of targeting expensive homes and homes owned by Asian Americans," the New Castle County Police Department said in a Facebook post. "Thieves typically ship the items they steal back to their home countries or attempt to sell the items prior to leaving."
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The New Castle County Police released home security footage of a suspected ‘crime tourist’ targeting a home during a burglary. Authorities have warned of South American ‘crime tourists’ targeting homes. (New Castle County Police Department)
New Castle police have made several arrests of Colombian and Chilean citizens. Others are wanted on outstanding warrants.
Authorities said the groups often use "advanced techniques," including radios, disguises, lookouts, and surveillance, and that the groups work fast to execute their crimes.
"They're also crafty with bringing tools, whether it be a window punch to knock out a slider or a ladder to access a second-story window," New Castle County Police Cpl. Michael McNasby told FOX Philadelphia.
Joshua Huang told the news outlet that he was with his parents and younger brother at their family restaurant, Hong Hing, on Saturday when their Wilmington home was targeted for the second time.
The New Castle County Police released images of suspects from South America that were arrested and who are wanted for allegedly targeting homes in the Delaware area. (New Castle County Police Department)
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The home was first robbed in November 2022.
"It’s pretty frustrating to get robbed again," Huang said. "It makes me wish that this time we could actually catch them, so that we could get our money back."
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