A sophisticated burglary ring linked to the notorious South American Theft Group (SATG) has been dismantled after a high-stakes investigation that spanned two counties.
Four men are now behind bars following a series of high-end residential hits in Thousand Oaks and a dramatic showdown in Santa Clarita.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s East County Investigations Bureau began tracking the group after two specific burglaries in the luxury Dos Vientos community.
The first hit occurred on February 12 in the 5200 block of Via Patricia, followed by a second raid just 200 yards away on Via Rincon on April 24.
Using surveillance and advanced investigative tech, detectives identified two getaway vehicles and followed the trail straight into Los Angeles.
On Friday, May 1st, the trap was set. Detectives watched as the crew drove their scouted vehicles into a Santa Clarita neighborhood, striking a home in the 24000 block of Matthew Place.
As the suspects attempted to flee the scene with stolen jewelry and cash, a coordinated strike force of Ventura and L.A. County deputies swarmed the vehicles.
The scene quickly turned chaotic as two suspects bolted from the cars, sparking a foot pursuit through the neighborhood.
Deputies managed to tackle and arrest three of the men: Edisson Boyaca (27), Owen Rivera-Chacon (26), and Christian Sanchez (26). A fourth suspect initially managed to slip through the containment perimeter.
The "ghost" didn't stay free for long. On Monday, May 4th, Task Force detectives tracked the remaining suspect, Juan Sebastian Naranjo (26), to the 1800 block of 3rd Street in Los Angeles.
Naranjo, who investigators believe was a primary player in the Thousand Oaks hits, was hauled back to Ventura County and booked on charges of first-degree burglary and conspiracy. He is currently being held on a massive $500,000 bail.
Authorities are highlighting this bust as a warning about the SATG, coordinated groups from Chile and Colombia known for using Wi-Fi jammers, rental cars with false IDs, and encrypted burner phones to hit affluent neighborhoods near parks and trails.
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