Felipe Leiva Solis : South American Burglary Tourists Target Wealthy Homes, LAPD Alert

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By Richard Winton
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — A daring chase unfolded in the desert around Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday as police officers tracked down a member of an international heist ring suspected of stealing jewels and luxury goods from homes across Los Angeles. Utilizing helicopters and drones, authorities finally located the culprit hiding under a tree.

Caught in the Act

The wanted individual turned out to be a 17-year-old from Chile, who, along with his two adult accomplices, later confessed to breaking into multiple homes. This incident sheds light on the rising trend of “burglary tourism” from South America, with criminals entering the U.S. on tourist visas to carry out robberies.

The Los Angeles Police Department revealed that the teenage fugitive was initially apprehended on Feb. 29 in Pacific Palisades alongside three other Chileans as they scoped out residences in the affluent area. Their crime spree was captured by a security camera that caught the license plate of their 2024 Hyundai Tucson during a series of burglaries in East Hollywood.

Rising Trend of Crime

Over the past five years, law enforcement officials have noticed an increase in thefts committed by individuals from South American countries. In the case of Chile, authorities suspect that criminals are exploiting the relaxed background check process for tourists entering the country. Once inside, these offenders plan and execute burglaries, selling the stolen goods before sending the profits back to their home countries.

LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton highlighted that while South American theft groups have been present in L.A. for some time, their activities have intensified in recent months. Although overall burglary rates are decreasing, crimes linked to these foreign crews have surged significantly.

Targeting Wealthy Enclaves

The criminal groups primarily target affluent neighborhoods where homes are laden with jewellery and valuable items that can be easily converted into cash. They prefer not to carry firearms to avoid additional charges and often employ jamming devices to disable home security systems.

While Chileans are predominant in these criminal enterprises, other South Americans, including Peruvians, Ecuadoreans, and Colombians, have also been identified. The LAPD and other local law enforcement agencies have joined forces to combat this growing threat.

A String of Arrests

Several arrests have been made in connection with these organized burglary rings. In one instance, Burbank police apprehended Felipe Leiva Solis, a 33-year-old Chilean national, who was suspected of multiple break-ins across the city. Leiva Solis, along with his accomplices, attempted to flee on foot when stopped by Glendale police officers, indicating a widespread network of criminals.

Further investigations led to the recovery of stolen designer items worth millions of dollars, believed to be from a single heist. The scale of these operations is alarming, with multiple incidents reported in various counties across Southern California.

Efforts to Combat Crime

Authorities are working tirelessly to dismantle these burglary rings and prevent further incidents. District Attorney Todd Spitzer has been vocal about prosecuting South American thieves and urging stricter visa regulations to curb such criminal activities. However, challenges persist, as the lack of criminal histories for Chilean citizens hampers prosecution efforts.

The Chilean Embassy’s silence on the matter has raised concerns about the country’s cooperation in addressing this issue. With ongoing investigations and collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, there is hope for curbing the wave of burglaries orchestrated by foreign criminal groups.

Conclusion

The apprehension of the Chilean teenage fugitive in Arizona marks a significant breakthrough in combating transnational burglary operations. As authorities continue to crack down on these criminal enterprises, the focus remains on safeguarding communities and upholding the law. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies serve as a beacon of hope in the fight against organized crime.