Five alleged South American Theft Group members arrested for attempted burglary in Elmont

Nassau County Police Department detectives, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, arrested five individuals for an alleged attempted burglary in Elmont yesterday at 9:45 a.m.

Officers arrested Carolina Diana Giraldo Franco, 29, of 108th Street, Queens, Luis Eduardo Giraldo Franco, 27, of Reeves Avenue, Flushing, Jonathan Runza Vergara, 37, of 103rd Street, Corona, Yeison Enrique Beltran Avila, 21, and Kevin Sebastian Baez Barragan, 24. According to police, all are from Colombia and are members of the South American Theft Group.

Officers saw a black Nissan Rogue and a Mitsubishi Lancer, both with Ohio registrations parked near South King Street in Elmont. One of the cars was known to law enforcement as being involved in burglaries in multiple jurisdictions.

Police investigation revealed that they were in possession of a Wi-Fi signal scrambler, portable radios, crowbars and various other burglar tools. All five individuals were arrested without incident and no injuries were reported.

All five are charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglars’ tools, criminal tampering and attempted conspiracy. Beltran Avila is additionally charged with burglary from a previous incident.

Carolina Diana Giraldo-Franco is due back in court on Feb 2, Luis Eduardo Giraldo Franco is due back in court Feb. 1, Runza Vergara is due back in court Feb. 5, and Baez Barragan is due back in court Feb. 1.