Chesterfield homeowners concerned about international theft ring: ‘It’s very scary’

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Quiet and protected. That is how one Chesterfield man, who requested to stay nameless over fears of retaliation, described his neighborhood off of Outdated Gun Highway in Chesterfield County.

In September 2022, he skilled a house owner’s worst concern.

Whereas he and his household have been away, they acquired a name that somebody had damaged into their dwelling of 25 years.

“You reside in what you assume is a really safe atmosphere, and going alongside your manner, and never fearful about something, and abruptly, your world is disrupted. It is form of scary,” he stated.

He is not the one one within the space fearing one other break-in.

Since February, Chesterfield Police have reported 5 totally different break-ins in a number of subdivisions alongside the Outdated Gun Highway hall, in addition to one “suspicious incident.”

On February 2, police reported two unknown suspects behind a sufferer’s dwelling have been captured on surveillance cameras.

On March 12, suspects entered a house on Outdated Gun Highway whereas the individuals who lived there have been on trip. The thieves stole cash, jewellery, and sneakers.

Police observe on April 2, there have been two totally different break-ins inside minutes of one another: One on Stonegate Highway and one other on Leafield Drive. Solely in a type of break-ins have been gadgets like jewellery and purses stolen.

On April 10, two extra break-ins occurred in roughly the identical timeframe, one on Cannon Ridge Court docket and one other on Aberdeen Touchdown Lane.

In each break-ins, nothing was stolen.

In accordance with Chesterfield Police, a few of the burglaries could also be associated to a South American “theft group,” due to the character of the incidents.

Two suspects within the Stonegate Highway housebreaking are stated to have been carrying black clothes, just like the suspect within the September break-in.

In the entire reported incidents, suspects entered or tried entry by way of the rear of properties they believed to be unoccupied.

“It is a well-organized group,” stated Lieutenant Russ Granderson with Chesterfield Police. “They’re working up and down the East Coast. They’ve additionally victimized a few of the neighboring jurisdictions, as properly. You noticed the latest press launch from Goochland County. Henrico and Richmond additionally the identical sort of incidents occurring there.”

Chesterfield Police say some suspects could also be touring by foot or by automotive.

In accordance with the resident who wished to stay nameless, officers with the division visited his neighborhood to offer safety assessments to residents.

“We have gone for years and actually by no means turned on our safety system. However now we flip it on to go to the mailbox,” he stated.

Although he stated he and his neighbors are putting in new sorts of safety methods in and round their properties, the group continues to be shaken.

“It’s extremely scary,” he stated. “When any person invades your non-public area, that is a violation that is very tough to beat. So, you are inclined to attempt to go to the extremes to attempt to shield your self and your family members, your property, and the whole lot else.”

Richmond Police and Henrico Police haven’t but responded to requests for extra data concerning the theft group’s potential exercise in its jurisdiction.

Chesterfield Police are encouraging residents to document serial numbers and take images of high-priced gadgets that could be of their dwelling.

Rely on CBS 6 Information and WTVR.com for in-depth protection of this necessary native story. Anybody with extra data can e mail newstips@wtvr.com to ship a tip.