Cranston Cops Crack 'South American Theft Group' Prowling Town: Police

CRANSTON, RI — A "South American Theft Group" was captured after they were spotted prowling around Cranston in a BMW SUV, police said.

The law learned of the three men believed to be "connected to a South American Theft Group" when "alert neighbors" suspicious activity involving a BMW SUV bearing a Virginia registration plate, shortly after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Cranston Police Department said in a media release.

One "caller reported the vehicle was circling the neighborhood and observed an occupant wearing a camouflage hoodie and a full-face mask walking in the area and taking photos of houses," the release said, and others "reported seeing a subject emerging from the bushes of a nearby residence and walking down the street."

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Residents "coordinated to gather the vehicle's information and video footage of the activity," according to the release, and the SUV twice triggered alerts from license plate-reading cameras.

After the second alert, an officer initiated a traffic stop on the SUV, the release said.

"The BMW continued for several hundred feet while its occupants made furtive movements before eventually coming to a stop," the release said. "The three occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and detained."

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During the stop, officers spotted a police scanner, which led to a search of the vehicle and the seizure of five cell phones, two black face masks, two small flashlights, a telescope, a package of zip ties, various tools, a high-capacity USB power charger, $21 cash, assorted car keys, hoodies, T-shirts, jackets, hats, sneakers, a Nike Jordan backpack, an Adidas backpack and a Gucci cross-strap purse, according to the release.

The "burglary tools, masks, and other items" are "commonly used in organized theft operations," the release said.

The three men in the SUV — Sergio Rodriguez Lopez, 36, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Jorge Cajamarca Pena, 49, of Flushing, New York, and Felipe Quitian, 19, of Livingston, New Jersey — all were arrested and charged with attempted conspiracy, breaking and entering, and possession of burglary tools, according to the release.

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Lopez and Pena were also charged with felon in possession of a radio scanner, the release said, and Lopez was wanted in Danbury, Connecticut, as a fugitive from justice in a first-degree larceny case.

The three men were arraigned in Third District Court Thursday, according to the release.

"Lopez was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and turned over to Connecticut authorities, while bail was set for Pena and Quitian at $10,000 with surety, the release said.

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Pena and Quitian were taken to the Adult Correctional Institutions Intake Center and Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer on Quitian, according to the release.

"This case underscores the importance of strong community-police partnerships," said Cranston police Col. Michael J. Winquist. "Thanks to alert neighbors who reported suspicious activity and license plate reader technology, our officers were able to quickly intervene, prevent a potential crime, and dismantle part of a larger theft group operating across the region."

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