South American theft ring hit Edina, Mendota Heights homes
Four suspects were federally charged in Wisconsin in a South American theft ring accused of burglarizing homes in Edina, Mendota Heights and other Twin Cities suburbs.[1]
Federal prosecutors identified the suspects as Luciano Silva Cifuentes, Enjerbet Rojas Silva, Leandro Pino Uribe and Nobuaki Lara Watay.[1] Investigators recovered selfies from the suspects' phones showing them wearing victims' jewelry and posing with piles of cash and Rolex watches.[1] One Edina burglary on a cul-de-sac off Schaefer Road, while the homeowners were in Florida, netted nearly $300,000 in jewelry and silver.[1]
Break-ins linked to the crew occurred at homes in Edina, Orono, Lake Elmo and Mendota Heights between September and December 2025.[1] Prosecutors say the crew allegedly used Airbnbs as operational bases and routinely shuttled between the Midwest and Florida between jobs.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Four suspects — Luciano Silva Cifuentes, Enjerbet Rojas Silva, Leandro Pino Uribe and Nobuaki Lara Watay — are federally charged in Wisconsin.
- Break-ins linked to the ring occurred at homes in Edina, Orono, Lake Elmo and Mendota Heights between September and December 2025.
- An Edina burglary on a cul-de-sac off Schaefer Road netted nearly $300,000 in jewelry and silver while the homeowners were in Florida.
- Investigators recovered selfies from suspects’ phones showing them wearing victims’ jewelry and posing with piles of cash and Rolex watches.
- The crew allegedly used Airbnbs as operational bases and routinely shuttled between the Midwest and Florida between jobs.
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