7 Arrested in Major Valley Burglary Sting Tied to Global Theft Ring

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Seven people were arrested in Scottsdale on Friday as part of a crackdown on a South American Theft Group linked to two burglaries in the Valley, police reported.

The arrest occurred around 4:15 p.m. at a short-term rental near Camelback and Miller Roads. Officers executed a search warrant and found items associated with the burglaries, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

Investigations began on May 20 when Burbank Police in California alerted Scottsdale authorities about a Colombian group suspected of burglarizing properties across several states. Descriptions of vehicles used in those incidents helped identify the suspects.

In the following days, detectives conducted surveillance, which led them to Tempe and Mesa. The group was observed coordinating and executing burglaries in those areas on May 23.

After gathering evidence from the crime scenes, detectives worked with victims to document the thefts and coordinated with local police departments. A raid at the rental property followed shortly thereafter.

All seven suspects were taken into custody without incident and subsequently booked into the Maricopa County Jail. Each faces multiple charges, with bail set at $150,000. The suspects include:

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

Angie Paola Hernandez-Manrique, 25

Additionally, a stolen French Bulldog was recovered during the operation. Efforts are underway to reunite the dog with its owner.

Scottsdale police are focused on returning stolen items to victims. Investigations regarding the burglaries in Tempe and Mesa are ongoing, with Scottsdale authorities leading the efforts.