PLANO, Texas — Five people were arrested Sunday who police say were targeting Asian American homes in North Texas and burglarizing them.
According to Plano PD, officers arrested the following at approximately 1 p.m. on Nov. 5:
- Juan Pinto-Rodriguez
- Adrianna Abello-Ruiz
- Luis Tafur-Tovar
- Helmer Patino-Calderon
- Jeisson Tafur-Tovar
Officials told WFAA the individuals drove from Houston to the Dallas area.
Plano detectives recognized the pattern in late October of a criminal ring targeting Asian American residents in Plano and Frisco.
According to an arrest affidavit, around Halloween, a group of suspects knocked on the door of a West Plano home holding a bag of fast food under the guise of a delivery service to ensure no one was home.
"What these individuals would typically do is mid-day, when they knew no one was home, they would go and knock on the door, and if they didn't get a response, somehow they would make entry into that home and steal valuables," police told WFAA.
Police said another suspect would then "cut the seal off the electricity meter and remove the socket, effectively cutting off power."
So, that turned off surveillance cameras... then, the suspects would break in. Police believe this group hit four Plano homes, three of them west of U.S. Highway 75.
The suspects were hitting homes where they knew there were high-priced valuables like jewelry, cash and designer handbags, the affidavit stated.
"If they feel you have those items, and you don't secure them in a solid location or use banks, there are going to be people who target you," Plano police told WFAA.
It was a Ring camera at one of the offense locations that gave them a license plate number, so police were able to find the vehicle using license tag readers and put the group under surveillance.
Then, Plano police said the group was committing a similar offense on Sunday as the suspects broke into a home while three residents were napping. The residents woke up and called 911.
Police located two vehicles nearby and arrested all five suspects, who are now charged with multiple counts of burglary. All five suspects were taken to the Collin County Jail.
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