Four people were arrested Thursday morning in Lodi, California, in connection with a series of high-profile burglaries across the state.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, detectives believe the suspects are part of an international Colombian theft ring responsible for several sophisticated break-ins.
Authorities had been tracking the group since September after a jewelry store in Sacramento County was burglarized. The sheriff’s office described the crime as one of the most complex they’ve seen—suspects reportedly drilled through a wall and stole over $1 million worth of jewelry.
Investigators later linked the same group to multiple burglaries throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
SWAT Standoff in Lodi
Early Thursday, authorities received reports of a break-in at a pawn shop on W. Lodi Avenue. Knowing who they were dealing with, detectives quickly deployed a SWAT team.
“Heard about a burglary potentially happening here at this jewelry store. Again, credit to their security system, they had a great one, so they weren’t able to actually make out with a single thing, but our folks were nearby, converged on it,” said Amar Gandhi, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
Deputies arrested one female suspect immediately, then captured two more soon after. The final suspect was discovered hiding in a ventilation duct. Officers used gas to safely extract and detain the individual.
High-Tech Criminal Operation
Mikey Manpreet, owner of Lodi Pawn, said the suspects tried to jam the internet connection at his business and a neighboring property.
“They actually jammed the internet next door, as well to our business, and so we were out of internet,” Manpreet said. “They got to the system. They did, but they weren’t successful because right when they got to it, you know, got a notification.”
The sheriff’s office revealed the suspects are believed to be Colombian nationals. Their names have not been released.
Two suspects reportedly have construction and demolition experience, one is an alarm specialist, and another owns a jewelry store in Colombia with possible cartel connections.
Roads in the area were closed during the early morning hours and reopened around 7:30 a.m., according to Lodi Police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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