Law enforcement in Central Florida has dismantled a sophisticated South American burglary ring that posed as “landscapers” while targeting Asian-owned homes and businesses throughout the state.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, multiple police departments coordinated to track the organized Colombian crew, which had been carrying out a string of calculated burglaries resembling professional operations.
Five suspects — all Colombian nationals in the United States illegally — were arrested after being caught on a police drone during one of their break-ins. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office identified them as Wendy Farias-Suarez, Johan Beltran-Prieto, Laura Pedraza-Sarmiento, Julio Lozano-Trujillo, and Elkin Cubillos-Jimenez. All five are being held in the Osceola County Jail under ICE detainers and face charges including burglary, grand theft, and criminal mischief.
Authorities say the group is part of a wider Colombian criminal network known for specifically targeting Asian homeowners and business owners in Florida. Investigators described their methods as highly organized and methodical — spending weeks observing victims’ routines before striking.
To avoid detection, the thieves reportedly blended into neighborhoods by pretending to be locals, even dribbling basketballs in driveways to appear casual, while secretly installing trail cameras in nearby trees to track when residents left their homes.
On October 20, a police drone recorded two suspects — dressed as landscapers in straw hats and jeans — approaching an Orlando residence owned by an Asian family. While others acted as lookouts, the pair forced entry through a back door, filled trash bags with valuables, and quickly escaped.
🚨 BREAKING: Florida police just busted a COLOMBIA THEFT RING run by illegal aliens, disguised as “landscapers.”
“5 suspects now sit in jail…ALL 5 are Colombian nationals in the US illegally with ICE detainers.”
“This Colombian crime ring had FAKE uniforms and detailed maps… pic.twitter.com/I9CYV11ckL
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 24, 2025
Deputies later recovered four Louis Vuitton handbags worth more than $11,000, several pairs of designer shoes, and $10,000 in cash.
One victim, Le Trinh, owner of SNS Spa Nail Supply, said she had been followed and watched for weeks before her home was burglarized — on her birthday.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as they work to identify other members of the network and potential victims across Florida.