Law enforcement officials across the United States are dealing with a growing trend of “tourist burglars” who are coming from other countries through visa programs and targeting luxurious homes. These international heist rings enter the country on 90-day visits without traditional tourist visas, using a visa waiver from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization program. They then join burglary rings and commit residential burglaries in various cities and neighborhoods around the country. Authorities suspect that at least hundreds of these “burglary tourists” are currently in the US.
The thieves, who primarily hail from South America, take advantage of wealthy homeowners by looting expensive items and selling them with the profits sent back to their home countries. They often employ tactics such as wearing ghillie suits to wait for the perfect time to strike, as well as using WiFi jammers to prevent alarm companies from being notified. Many of these burglars target homes that lack window sensors or motion detectors on their second floors, making it easier for them to carry out their crimes unnoticed.
Communities in states such as Arizona and California have been particularly affected by these burglary rings, with law enforcement officials in cities like Scottsdale and Los Angeles working to combat the issue. However, the problem is not limited to these areas, as police in Baltimore, Nassau County in New York, and Raleigh, North Carolina have also arrested burglary suspects who are Chilean and in the US on visa waivers. Victims of these crimes have reported losing millions of dollars worth of items, including jewelry and other valuables.
Despite the increase in crimes tied to these international theft crews, not every Chilean entering the US is involved in criminal activities. However, authorities stress the need for the federal government to address the visa waiver program and ensure that proper background checks are conducted on individuals from countries like Chile. In some cases, the Chilean government has failed to provide the criminal history of its citizens who use the visa program, making it difficult for prosecutors to present relevant information in court. This has resulted in individuals being released on no bail and not being held accountable for their actions.
Victims of these burglaries have expressed feelings of unease and insecurity in their own homes, knowing that thieves have targeted their properties and stolen valuable possessions. In response, police and prosecutors are working to crack down on these burglary rings and prevent further incidents from occurring. Law enforcement officials emphasize that this is a national issue that requires coordination and collaboration at both the federal and local levels in order to effectively address the problem. By raising awareness about the activities of these “tourist burglars” and taking proactive measures to protect wealthy homeowners, authorities hope to deter future crimes and bring those responsible to justice.
