Chileans Arrested in Orange County, CA Suburb Days After LAPD Forms Task Force to Stop Home Invasions

Three men, who were Chilean nationals, were arrested Friday by Irvine Police Department after the officers noticed a “suspicious vehicle.” They were identified as Leopoldo Jara-Araya, 57, Ricardo Navarete-Loyola, 19, and Julio Cordova-Martinez, 55.

Police have been vigilant in Irvine after a recent increase in home robberies. Irvine is located in Orange County, California.

The Los Angeles Police Department recently put together a task force to deal with international crime rings focusing on high-end homes.

Fox News reported:

Police arrested three men from Chile on Friday in the quiet California suburban town of Irvine, just days after the Los Angeles Police Department formed a task force to address an international crime ring targeting luxury homes in the U.S.

The arrests came after a recent spike in home robberies in Irvine, a relatively low crime area in Orange County that is about 40 miles south of Los Angeles.

Irvine police officers had been conducting surveillance work when a “suspicious vehicle” near Boomer Canyon caught their attention.

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“Police said there were three men inside the car who ‘were not from the area and appeared to have no reason to be in Irvine.’” Fox News reported.

The driver took off but officers eventually stopped them. After searching the vehicle, they found masks, burglary tools, shoe covers, and even pet deterrent.

The suspects appeared to be casing the neighborhood with the intent to burglarize homes. They were taken into custody for conspiracy to commit burglary, possessing burglary tools, and giving the officers false information.

The US Visa Waiver Program includes the country of Chile. Unfortunately, this allows tourists and people visiting the US on business to bypass the need for a visa or for any detailed vetting.

The US is in the middle of a border crisis never seen before. According to Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, people from 160 countries have illegally entered the US this fiscal year.

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US BORDER CHIEF: “PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE SMUGGLED INTO THE U.S.”

“So far, this fiscal year alone, we have had people from 160 or more come across our border illegally.”

Source: Face The Nation pic.twitter.com/eeUOfMt5o5

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 24, 2024