Authorities announced on Saturday that seven individuals linked to a “South American Theft Group (SATG)” were taken into custody on Friday following their involvement in two burglaries in the Phoenix area.
Both heists – one in Tempe and another in Mesa – were committed on May 23, the Scottsdale Police Department said.
All seven suspects were arrested on Friday at a short-term rental where they were staying, police said.
Scottsdale Police received a tip-off from the Burbank Police Department in California on May 20. They were informed about a SATG crew from Colombia accused of committing burglaries in states like California, Oregon, and Washington, with potential plans to target Arizona next.
Scottsdale police were alerted to the group on May 20 by the Burbank Police Department in California. (Scottsdale Police)
“They observed all seven suspects coordinate and participate in burglary activity at both locations,” a police statement said.
The individuals apprehended were identified as: Nicolas Rojas Leon, 23; Joan Sebastian Orozco-Vargas, 26; Andres David Sanchez-Novoa, 38; Natalia Isabella Ortiz-Daza, 26; Martha Juliana Echiverri-Guzman, 28; Lady Johanna Gueito, 32; and Angie Paola Herandez-Manrique, 25.
Each suspect was ordered held in the Maricopa County Jail pending “numerous criminal charges” on $150,000 cash-only bonds.
