Scottsdale police arrest suspected international theft ring members

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottsdale police arrested seven people suspected of being part of a South American Theft Group Friday in connection with two Valley burglaries.

The suspects were taken into custody around 4:15 p.m. after authorities served a search warrant at a short-term rental near Camelback and Miller Roads. Officials found items linked to the burglaries with the suspects, according to officials with the Scottsdale Police Department. 

The investigation began on May 20, when the Burbank Police Department in California contacted Scottsdale police about a group from Colombia who may be headed to Arizona after allegedly being involved in recent burglaries across California, Oregon and Washington. 

The tip included vehicle descriptions, which were later matched to cars seen near a Valley rental property.

Over the next few days, detectives set up surveillance and observed the group’s activities in the area. On May 23, while tracking the suspects, Scottsdale detectives followed them to homes in Tempe and Mesa, where they were seen coordinating and carrying out burglaries. 

Following the break-ins, detectives worked with the victims to take reports and informed local police departments. Surveillance continued, and around 4 p.m., officers raided the short-term rental in Scottsdale.

All seven suspects were arrested without incident and booked into the Maricopa County Jail. They face numerous charges and were held on a $150,000 cash-only bond. The suspects arrested were:

• Nicolas Rojas Leon, 23

• Joan Sebastian Orozco-Vargas, 26

• Andres David Sanchez-Novoa, 38

• Natalia Isabella Ortiz-Daza, 26

• Martha Juliana Echiverri-Guzman, 28

• Lady Johanna Gueito, 32

• Angie Paola Hernandez-Manrique, 25

Authorities also recovered a French Bulldog that had been stolen during one of the group’s burglaries in California. Efforts to reunite the dog with its rightful owner are currently underway.

Scottsdale police are continuing their efforts to return the stolen property to victims. The Tempe and Mesa burglaries are still under investigation, with Scottsdale police leading the case.