Massachusetts police bust burglary ring that stole $4 million in jewels over six years

BOSTON — A burglary ring that allegedly stole more than $4 million worth of jewelry, mostly from the homes of South Asians in more than two dozen communities, has been broken up, Massachusetts State Police said.

Four people, including two brothers, were charged on April 18 after a nine-month investigation into 95 cases of unarmed burglary and entering a home during the day with the intent to commit a crime.

Police said Friday that the Providence-based theft crew burglarized homes in 25 communities in Massachusetts between July 21, 2018, and March 30. Police say the gang targeted South Asian homes because they thought they would have more jewelry.

Police said the stolen jewelry included diamonds and other gemstones worth $75,000 each, as well as gold bracelets, necklaces, earrings and cash. On several occasions, the gang stole locked safes weighing hundreds of pounds containing the jewelry.

“The defendants in this case were very sophisticated. They targeted victims based on their ethnicity and then gathered information about their targets to strike when the families were not home,” Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement. phone use before, during and after breaks and the use of WiFi jammers.”

Lt. Col. Mark Cyr, commander of the Massachusetts State Police Division of Homeland Security, said the theft squad “stole numerous items of great monetary, emotional and cultural value from families in multiple states, and did so by destroying the sanctity of their property.” violate. houses.”

“Such brazen criminal actions will not be tolerated in our communities,” he added. “This investigation highlights the commitment of our law enforcement partners to work together to eliminate complex criminal networks.”