Weddington, N.C. — Three members of a transnational theft ring were arrested weeks after they allegedly broke into a high-end home in the Highgate neighborhood of Weddington, NC, on February 2, 2024.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the three men were able to escape the scene before deputies arrived, sparking an extensive investigation involving multiple state and local agencies. After several weeks, the men were tracked down and arrested in Columbia, South Carolina.
The men were identified as Joiner Jhosuet Cortes-Morales, Terry Stiven Cajamarca-Grijalba, and Cristian Hernan Pirajan-Rivera. All three are from Colombia and were members of the South American Theft Group, a well-organized crime syndicate responsible for high-end home burglaries across the United States. The group is known for sending members to the U.S. illegally to target upscale homes, and has been linked to numerous burglaries, particularly in the southeastern U.S.
Following their arrests, the men were booked into the York County Detention Center. They had prior criminal histories in multiple U.S. states and were wanted in other jurisdictions for similar crimes. Authorities have placed ICE detainers on them, and they are expected to face additional charges in other locations. Their bond for the Union County charges has been set at $300,000 each.
Sheriff Eddie Cathey expressed confidence in the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of organized crime. He stated, “We will not allow organized crime groups to target our communities, and we will continue pursuing justice for every victim impacted by these offenses.”
Anyone with information about this case or similar incidents is urged to contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 704-283-3789 or submit anonymous tips to Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600.
