NE Valley Times

The Scottsdale Police Department (SPD) is investigating a recent string of residential burglaries, commonly referred to as “dinner-time burglaries,” that are believed to be part of a nationwide crime ring involving South American theft groups. 

Three Chileans have been apprehended in connection with several burglaries in north Scottsdale. Police started making the arrests last weekend, over the course of several hours from late Sunday night and into Monday morning. 

In response to an interview request with NE Valley Times, Aaron Bolin, SPD's Public Information Officer, said to watch the press conference held by the department.       

"It’s 43 minutes long but provides many if not all of the details you want to know," said Bolin. 

According to SPD Chief Jeff Walther, the suspects entered the country legally.

“All three came here legally on the Visa waiver program, that's how the Chilean Nationals are coming in, these burglary crews are coming in,” Walther said during the press conference. “Now I don't need more emails in my inbox saying ‘not all Chileans are coming to the United States on this 90-day tourist program, that not all of them are committing crimes.’ You're absolutely right. They're not and I'm not saying that they are.”

“But what we're getting is hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands coming in through the Visa waiver program that are committing residential burglaries in dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of cities and neighborhoods around the country.”

“This is not a Scottsdale issue. This is not a valley issue. This is not an Arizona issue.  This is a national issue and so we have to be willing to start asking some hard questions of our federal government about the Visa waiver program. In addition to the hard questions, we should be asking about what’s going on at the southern border and that 50% of all fentanyl coming into the United States is crossing the Arizona-Mexico border.”

Scottsdale detectives are currently investigating this case to determine if there are any potential links with other incidents in the area.

Walther emphasized the importance of unity and vigilance between the police and the community to prevent future crimes.

He highlighted the significance of partnerships and the use of technology, stressing the collaboration between multiple police departments in the valley to address the crime series effectively. He specifically mentioned the deployment of various technological tools such as cameras, drones, aerial platforms, license plate readers, and photo enforcement systems to enhance surveillance capabilities.

Moreover, Walther underscored the necessity of FBI partnerships at the local level, as suspects admitted to interstate connections, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in combating crime across different jurisdictions.

Walther's statements came after the arrests were made.

The two arrested adults were 32-year-old Grecia Romanduski Gate Castillo, and 23-year-old Sebastian Jesus Parraguez Soto. The third suspect was a 17-year-old male.

Law enforcement personnel, including patrol officers, detectives, and aerial surveillance units – such as police drones and helicopters – were deployed to search the neighborhoods near Pima and Yearling Roads after receiving reports of suspicious individuals in the nearby desert area. 

The first arrest occurred when detectives observed a woman driving a vehicle out of a neighborhood close to Pima and Yearling Roads around 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. 

Subsequently, two men were apprehended by officers at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 11 in a desert region near Pima and Jomax Roads, during an ongoing aerial search conducted by a police helicopter. None of the suspects were found to be armed at the time of their arrest.

Initially, all three suspects faced charges related to conspiracy and burglary upon being taken into custody at the Scottsdale Police Jail. 

The vehicle operated by the female suspect was seized as evidence and was found to contain some of the stolen property. The two male suspects did not have significant property items with them when they were apprehended.

The 17-year-old male suspect was directed to a Maricopa juvenile facility post-arrest.