Broward Sheriff’s Office honors law enforcement employees of the month for major role in dismantling organized burglary network investigation

Weston, Florida – A six-month long, highly coordinated investigation led by the Broward Sheriff’s Office has ended with multiple arrests, cross-country tracking, and the disruption of what authorities describe as a sophisticated burglary network targeting upscale neighborhoods in South Florida.

What began in August 2025 as a quiet but troubling pattern in the Windmill Ranch community soon evolved into a major law enforcement operation involving multiple agencies, specialized units, and federal partners. Residents had started reporting a series of unoccupied residential burglaries, each one following a similar and unsettling method of entry.

Suspects were forcing their way into homes through rear glass doors or windows, moving quickly once inside, and heading directly to master bedrooms. Safes were pried open or cut apart, with jewelry and cash consistently taken. The timing was not random either. Investigators later found a pattern—most incidents occurred on Friday or Saturday evenings between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., suggesting a deliberate understanding of when homes were most likely to be empty.

At first, the crimes appeared isolated. They were spaced out over weeks and even months. But as reports accumulated, investigators began connecting the dots. Intelligence analysts and detectives from both the Weston District and the Burglary Apprehension Team, widely known as BAT, were brought together to form a unified response.

A tactical operational plan was put in place. Officers were deployed seven days a week, positioned both on the exterior and interior perimeters of the community. Their goal was simple but demanding—observe, detect, and prevent further intrusions. To strengthen coverage, concealed surveillance technology was installed at strategic points throughout the area.

The investigation quickly became more complex as evidence began to surface. Crime scene processing yielded critical DNA evidence from one of the burglaries. That evidence was sent on an expedited basis to the BSO crime lab, where it produced a breakthrough: the identification of one of the suspects involved.

That discovery shifted the entire scope of the case.

Based on the suspect’s background and criminal history, investigators determined they were dealing with a group commonly known in law enforcement as South American Theft Groups, or “SATG’s”. These are highly organized criminal networks, often linked to individuals entering the United States illegally from countries such as Chile, Peru, and Colombia.

Read also: Fort Lauderdale launches major sanitary sewer force main rehabilitation and replacement project to strengthen infrastructure and system reliability

Authorities describe these groups as mobile, disciplined, and difficult to track. Their focus is high-value targets—luxury homes and jewelry stores—resulting in millions of dollars in losses across the country. Their ability to move quickly between cities and conceal their identities has made arrests particularly challenging for law enforcement agencies nationwide.

As the investigation deepened, detectives worked with multiple intelligence resources and extended surveillance operations over several months. Vehicles linked to the suspects were identified, along with possible residential locations spanning both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

In a major escalation, the Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the effort. Working together, investigators were able to positively identify four suspects. Two of them were female suspects who already had active federal felony warrants connected to a jewelry store burglary case in Texas.

The suspects, investigators learned, were also using advanced counter-surveillance tactics. Equipment such as Wi-Fi jammers, two-way radios, and multiple cell phones were recovered or identified during the investigation. In some cases, authorities even found evidence suggesting the use of inflatable boats to cross bodies of water to access neighborhoods while avoiding detection.

Despite these efforts to stay hidden, the operation eventually closed in on the group.

On New Year’s Eve, two suspects broke into an unoccupied home in the Windmill Ranch community. The homeowner received a real-time alert and live video footage showing the crime in progress. Acting immediately, the homeowner contacted 911.

Read also: Pine Crest middle and upper school science research students showcase original projects and earn recognition at Florida Junior Academy of Science competition

Deputies and detectives who were already positioned in and around the neighborhood responded within minutes. One suspect was caught as he attempted to flee the area and was taken into custody. He was charged with a first-degree felony for residential burglary and is currently being held at the Broward County Jail under a no bond hold, along with a separate immigration detainer.

That arrest marked a turning point.

Following the capture, investigators continued working closely with multiple agencies, including HSI, FBI, Coral Springs Police Department, and the City of Miami Tactical Robbery Unit. Through continued intelligence sharing and coordination, four additional suspects connected to outstanding warrants were located and arrested.

The investigation did not end there.

On Wednesday, March 25th, the suspect linked through DNA evidence resurfaced thousands of miles away in Zionsville, Indiana. Authorities say he was attempting to carry out yet another high-value residential burglary when he was detected. The Whitestown Metro Police Department and the Zionsville Police Department responded quickly and successfully apprehended him before the crime could be completed.

He is now being held on multiple felony warrants from California, Texas, and Broward County. Plans are underway for extradition back to Florida, where Sgt. Bobby O’Dor will oversee his return for formal charges.

Over the course of six months, the case expanded far beyond a single neighborhood. It became a coordinated national effort involving surveillance teams, analysts, detectives, and federal partners working across jurisdictions.

At the local level, BSO personnel also took time to engage directly with the community. Sergeants and detectives attended Town Hall meetings and HOA gatherings in Windmill Ranch, providing verified updates, addressing concerns, and working to reduce fear and misinformation as the investigation unfolded.

The impact of the operation was ultimately measured not only in arrests, but in disruption. Six individuals in total were taken into custody and remain held, according to authorities.

The employees recognized as part of the “Employees of the Month” group played a central role in that outcome. The list includes personnel from the Weston District, the Burglary Apprehension Team, and the Plantation Police Department, all of whom contributed to the investigation in different but connected ways.

Among them are Sgt. Bobby O’Dor, Sgt. Steve Baretto, Sgt. Arik Levy, Sgt. Mike Weiner, Det. Arione Scott, Det. Ronald Fernandez, Detective Maria Ropain, Detective Michael Kravecz, Detective Nelson Prieto, Deputy Kelly Bober, and Crime Analyst Shana Gianino from the Weston District.

From BAT, recognized members include Sgt. Matt Marks, Sgt. Javier Duran, Det. Joseph Barrios, Det. Michael Merrill, Det. Connor Bradshaw, Det. Yasmani Garcia, Det. Stephen Noriega, Det. James Claburn, and Det. Jose Machado.

Also honored were detectives from the Plantation Police Department, including Det. Ryan Duty, Det. Robert Hogg, and Det. Chavez Grant, who were integrated into the multi-agency task force structure.

Together, investigators describe the operation as a clear example of persistence, coordination, and sustained pressure against a highly mobile criminal network. The message, according to officials, was direct: organized crime targeting Broward County communities will be pursued relentlessly, no matter how far the investigation must extend.