Eight arrested in alleged burglary ring that hit 30 San Diego homes

Nine people from Riverside County have been charged in connection with an organized burglary operation that targeted 30 homes throughout San Diego, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Eight men, who range in age from 18 to 24, were arrested last week on various burglary and theft charges, accused of stealing more than $700,000 in cash and items from homes in Mira Mesa, Rancho Peñasquitos and Carmel Valley from February through May, officials said during a news conference Wednesday.

A ninth person remains at-large.

According to District Attorney Summer Stephan, the burglary ring typically worked in groups of three and wore black masks and gloves during their break-ins. The ring is suspected of breaking into at least 55 homes throughout Southern California and Nevada, with the thieves driving to San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties and as far away as Las Vegas to steal, officials said.

The burglars would typically break a glass sliding door of a home to gain entry, Stephan said. They generally targeted homes without dogs or when no one was home, according to officials.

Once inside, the group is accused of taking cash, gold, jewelry, expensive designer bags and firearms that could then be resold.

“In one instance, one of the perpetrators forced entry through the rear glass door, surprising the homeowner, who was upstairs in the bedroom,” Stephan said. “He came downstairs to see the perpetrator wearing a hoodie and the homeowner yelled.”...