Four members of a South American theft ring that operated between July and October 2024 across Montgomery County, the Delaware Valley, New York, and Ohio have been sentenced, according to Mainline Media News.
The group targeted Asian business owners through a series of residential break-ins, stealing jewelry, cash, designer handbags, and other valuables from 13 homes in Abington, Horsham, Lower Merion, and Towamencin townships. Collectively, the defendants were ordered to pay $318,807 in restitution.
Detectives from Abington Township and Montgomery County dismantled the ring earlier this month. According to Chief Patrick Molloy, the thieves used signal jammers, GPS trackers, and surveillance cameras to track victims before posing as delivery drivers to gain entry into homes. In one case, the break-in occurred while children were present.
Juan Guerrero-Acosta, 26, of Queens, N.Y., was sentenced to four to ten years after pleading guilty to corrupt organizations, burglary, and attempted burglary charges. Roger Pinilla-Pardo, 22, of Fresh Meadows, N.Y., received a 3.5 to ten-year sentence after similar guilty pleas. Juan Meneses-Munoz, 19, of College Point, N.Y., and Misael Angel Sanchez, 52, of Rego Park, N.Y., each received four to ten years after pleading guilty to related charges.
All four men, Colombian nationals, are expected to face federal immigration and deportation proceedings after completing their sentences. At least 12 suspects connected to the ring have been arrested.
“Multiple jurisdictions throughout the state were involved, but Abington police and county detectives led the investigation,” said Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Eileen Glenning, praising the detectives for their dedication to securing justice for the victims.
