Burglary Crew Tied To 50 SoCal Heists Busted After 18-Month Spree: LASD

LONG BEACH, CA — After targeting dozens of businesses and eluding law enforcement for a year and a half, four members of a burglary crew have been arrested, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Long Beach residents Marco Rivera, 22, Jaheim Ebry, 21, Nakoa Taylor, 20, and Alhambra resident Francisco Araiza-Lopez, 25, are accused of burglarizing over 50 businesses across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to authorities.

Deputies say the suspects used power tools to cut their way through security doors, stealing high-end alcohol, cigarettes, cash and prying open several ATMS. They'd hide their faces using hooded sweaters and masks, according to the LASD.

In the aftermath of several burglaries, they'd use high-performance cars, such as a Chevy Camaro, to lead law enforcement on "dangerous" vehicle pursuits, the county agency added.

Through their investigation, detectives were able to identify the three Long Beach residents and Araiza-Lopez as suspects in the burglaries. Detectives on Thursday served warrants at several homes linked to the suspects and found evidence that tied them to the crimes, the LASD said.

Authorities also found two loaded semi-automatic handguns and an assault pistol that had a silencer and an extended high-capacity magazine, the LASD said.

Rivera, Taylor and Ebry were subsequently arrested in connection with the series of burglaries, according to the LASD. Araiza-Lopez had previously been taken into custody, although authorities did not say whether it was on suspicion of another crime or the burglaries.

The LASD asks that any witnesses to the burglaries or anyone who may have more information contact deputies at 562-946-7893.