ST. GEORGE — Detectives investigating a recent burglary at a jewelry store have uncovered evidence suggesting the crime was likely committed by one of the international theft groups known to be a highly-organized crime syndicate that have targeted the area in recent years.
On July 14, detectives were called in to investigate a burglary reported at a jewelry store at Red Cliffs Mall in St. George. The incident occurred sometime between 4 and 5 p.m., when the shop was closed, since the business is open by appointment only on Sunday.
St. George Police Sgt. Zach Bahlmann told St. George News the suspects entered the store by breaking through a shared wall of an adjacent business. Once inside, they used specialized equipment to bore into a safe that contained the store’s line of expensive watches. The suspects grabbed the items and then exited through the same opening, walked out of the adjacent store and exited the mall. He also said the suspects targeted a specific area inside the adjacent store where their activities would be hidden from public view, which allowed them to bore through the wall unnoticed.
The watches were valued at more than $500,000, the detective added.
Bahlmann said the suspects are likely part of an international crime group that has been engaging in snatch-and-grab thefts, diversionary crimes and vehicle burglaries that have spiked over the last two years. In fact, he said the evidence collected and various details at the scene have all of the earmarks of crimes being committed not only in Washington County, but in other areas of the state as well.
He also said these theft groups are highly organized criminal enterprises that travel from state to state committing burglaries similar to the incident reported at the jewelry store.
While processing the scene, detectives gathered a great deal of evidence that is currently being analyzed and they are following up on a number of investigative leads. The detective went on to say they are working with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible.
Over the last year or so, law enforcement officials have issued a number of warnings to residents across Washington County to be extra cautious after a noted increase in theft, break-ins and a litany of other crimes allegedly being committed by South American crime rings, also known as South American Theft Groups, entering the United States under the guise of tourists.
The recent incident appears to be an escalation in criminal activity, since prior reports have primarily involved car burglaries and purse snatching. If left unchecked, Bahlmann said these theft groups tend to return to an area to commit more serious crimes, such as robberies or thefts at ATM machines, for example.
Identifying and arresting the suspects responsible often serves as the best deterrent, since these groups are known to return to areas where they have been successful in the past.
In St. George and the surrounding area, many of these suspects have been caught in the act, thanks to the public, the detective said, who have reacted quickly by alerting officers when something seems off, whether it’s a hiker on a trailhead or another shopper in a grocery store.
Those calls have led to a number of arrests. Going forward, authorities are encouraging the public to remain vigilant in keeping their property secure and to contact the police department if something seems suspicious.
These international crime groups enter the United States by way of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization program that allows people from 41 countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Those involved in international theft groups often stay beyond the 90 days, media outlet Police One reported, by allegedly using fake identification cards provided by colleagues who are already living in the United States.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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