Update on South American gang-tied high-end home burglaries in NC
Also, an illegal alien was charged with gun possession and illegal reentry into the U.S.
In June, South American gangs from Venezuela and Chile were reported as allegedly behind a string of high-end home invasions in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
This is not unique to North Carolina, these types of high-end home burglaries that have been linked to South American gangs have been reported in several states and those involved in the crimes are sometimes referred to as "burglary tourists," and their methods are sophisticated.
Chilean gangs have been pulling off these operations for at least a decade in some areas of the country. It's unclear how long the Venezuelan component has been present, including some cases linked to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
The latest case in North Carolina comes out of Union County, and the press release by that county’s sheriff’s office says “approximately 10-15 similar incidents in the Weddington and Marvin areas” have been investigated in recent years.
Union County Sheriff on Facebook:
***𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞***
Earlier this week, law enforcement responded to a daytime break-in in the Highgate subdivision in Weddington. Deputies quickly located and apprehended one of the suspects involved, 23-year-old Michael Giovanni Bejarano Rodriguez. Rodriguez, along with two other men, forced entry into an occupied home but fled as soon as they realized someone was inside.Fortunately, no one was hurt, and Rodriguez was taken into custody after he and his counterparts fled in their car, which was parked on the roadway near the victim’s home, or on foot.
Thus far in the ongoing investigation, detectives have connected this incident to a larger group of South American nationals who are actively targeting high-value homes across the United States.
This organized crime group has been responsible for a growing number of break-ins in cities nationwide. Sadly, our own Union County area has not been immune to this group's criminal activities.
Over the past two years, detectives have investigated approximately 10-15 similar incidents in the Weddington and Marvin areas. While these cases are fewer here than in larger cities, the impact on the homeowners affected is significant. Rest assured, our local law enforcement is working hard, in collaboration with federal agencies, to investigate and apprehend everyone involved in these crimes.
The suspect captured in this week’s incident has been processed into the Union County Detention Center. He faces numerous felony charges, including First-Degree Burglary, Larceny, and Fleeing to Elude Arrest. He remains in custody with a secured bond of $40,000 and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer.
The press release also gave tips for keeping one’s home safe like not posting about going on vacation on social media.
Here’s the mugshot released by the Union County Sheriff’s Office:
More To The Story
The Union County arrest wasn’t the only one catching my eye this week, I also spotted this U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina press release.
Tucked down under the main arrest of a man in possession of a machinegun was another arrest made of Ismael Jarquin Cortes, 39, of Charlotte, who is being charged with “unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien and illegal reentry by an alien.”
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office does not list Cortes under its arrests or its currently jailed inmates. It’s more than likely he is already in ICE custody.
The arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 17; however, it was sealed with a note reading "sealed - case participants" on it.
The indictment document's gun charge says it was "on or about March 14, 2024, in Mecklenburg County." The illegal reentry charge says "on or about June 28, 2021, in Iredell County."
I couldn’t find any more details on the country or origin for Cortes or anything about the reentry charge, including whether or not he has reentered the country on more than one occasion following a deportation.
After a little digging, what was found is a June 28, 2022, arrest when Cortes was 25. That arrest shows he was living in Charlotte at the time and the charges included possession of cocaine and a failure to appear charge. He was issued a $1,500 bond and there was no mention of an ICE detainer. The arrest involved the Iredell County Sheriff's Office and North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Also, seven cases under the name Ismael Jarquin Cortes were located in North Carolina’s eCourts lookup system. It is unclear if any or all of those cases are for the same individual. The cases ranged from traffic violations like driving without a license to a failure to appear charge resulting in forfeiture of a bond, which lines up with the Iredell charges, but the dollar figure is higher.
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