Southwest
ICE says it took down group linked to violent home invasions in Texas; video shows victim chased, attacked
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FIRST ON FOX: ICE said federal agents captured members of a South American theft ring believed to be in the U.S. illegally who attacked families in a series of violent armed break-ins across Texas.
According to the agency, the group targeted small business owners across the Lone Star State.
In one incident, video obtained by FOX News shows two masked men holding handguns chasing a screaming resident around his house. The victim was seen being hit by the suspects.
Four suspects have been federally indicted in connection with the break-ins, and two have been convicted.
ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARMED WITH KNIFE, CRACK PIPE IN HOUSTON PARKING LOT
Armed men seen chasing a Texas resident in a home invasion. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
The group is believed to be members of the South American Theft Group (SATG), an organized network of foreign nationals, primarily from South America, who travel throughout the U.S. targeting wealthy homes and businesses by committing burglaries and thefts, according to ICE.
The members, ICE stated, use encrypted messaging apps, burner phones and pre-surveillance of neighborhoods to identify and target victims. Items stolen include high-value jewelry, luxury watches and cash.
ICE said most members of the group are in the U.S. illegally or remain in the country on expired visas.
ICE OPERATION PREVENTS ‘NIGHTMARES AND PTSD’ IN MASSIVE TEXAS OPERATION
Joel Hallynson Espinal-Cantareo is an illegal migrant from Honduras who was convicted and sentenced in September to more than 11 years in federal prison, according to ICE. (HSI)
One man involved, 38-year-old Joel Hallynson Espinal-Cantareo, is an illegal migrant from Honduras who was convicted and sentenced in September to more than 11 years in federal prison for interference with interstate commerce by robbery, according to ICE. His federal sentence will run consecutively to pending state cases.
Espinal-Cantareo was involved in at least three armed home invasions at residences in Irving, Cedar Hill and Frisco, investigators said. In those incidents, business owners were pistol-whipped, zip-tied and forced to hand over cash and valuable items.
“This 11-year sentence sends a clear message that violent crime and threats to public safety will not be tolerated,” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said in a statement. “Espinal-Cantareo’s actions affected small businesses and endangered lives. This significant sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes. ICE will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to protect our communities and bring violent offenders to justice.”
ICE said most members of the group are in the U.S. illegally or remain in the country on expired visas. (Getty Images)
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Three suspects were indicted after HSI presented the federal case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sherman. A fourth suspect, who was prosecuted separately by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, has since been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Two other cases are still pending, according to ICE.
ICE said it has issued an immigration detainer to ensure Espinal-Cantareo is transferred to federal immigration custody when he finishes his federal sentence. The agency said it will pursue his deportation following his release from federal custody.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Early morning Montebello fire leaves resident critically injured
At least one person was critically injured in a house fire that erupted in Montebello early Thursday morning.
Crews responded to the blaze engulfing a detached unit in the 100 block of South 5th Street near West Whittier Boulevard around 5 a.m.
Flames quickly spread to a nearby electrical pole, blowing a fuse and knocking out power in the area. Sparks could be seen as a loud pop was heard in a Citizen.com video later obtained by KTLA.
At least one person was believed to be in critical condition due to burn injuries, though officials have not released further details.
There was no immediate word on a possible cause of the fire.
A neighbor told KTLA that three people lived inside the home, including a child.
This is a developing story.
Los Angeles, Ca
Deputies reveal what led to violent L.A. County bus crash that injured 13 people
Authorities revealed new details Wednesday afternoon about the violent Santa Clarita crash involving a city transit bus, an overturned semi truck and two other vehicles that left 13 people injured.
According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the driver of a semi truck hauling a full load of gravel may have been traveling as fast as 70 mph when the vehicle approached a yellow light at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway around 9:30 a.m.
Investigators said the driver then attempted to make a right turn to avoid running the red light before crashing into the bus and two passenger vehicles.
“[The driver] tried to make a right-hand turn to avoid running the red light and then crashed into the bus and the other two passenger vehicles,” Capt. Brandon Barclay of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station told KTLA.
Officials noted that the speed limit on Golden Valley Road is 50 mph.
Sky5 aerial footage showed the heavily damaged Santa Clarita Transit bus pushed onto a curb while the semi truck overturned nearby, and another vehicle appeared pinned beneath the front right side of the bus.
“When you look at it, it looks like a scene from Universal CityWalk,” Barclay said.
Authorities said 13 people were injured in the crash.
One passenger seated in the back of the bus had to be freed using the Jaws of Life and remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, KTLA’s Angeli Kakade reported.
Seven additional people were transported to hospitals while five others declined medical treatment at the scene.
“You have a bus that was hit by a semi truck, so it’s very impactful for this community,” Barclay added.
Former Santa Clarita transit bus driver Darryl Richardson said he was stunned when he saw the aftermath of the crash.
“I know how a person feels to see a big old truck coming right at you,” Richardson told KTLA. “Thank God if it had broadsided the driver, we’d be talking about a different conversation right now.”
The City of Santa Clarita said road closures around the crash scene were expected to continue for several hours as deputies investigated what led up to the collision.
All directions of Centre Pointe Parkway between Golden Valley Road and Ruether Avenue remained closed Wednesday afternoon. Eastbound Golden Valley Road was also shut down from Robert C. Lee Parkway to Centre Pointe Parkway.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.
The crash remains under investigation.
Los Angeles, Ca
Burglary reported in San Fernando Valley hours after officials announce arrests
Just hours after officials announced arrests connected to a string of residential burglaries, another one was reported in the San Fernando Valley.
According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the incident took place just before 1:45 a.m. Wednesday in the 5000 block of Bluebell Avenue, which is located in the Valley Village neighborhood.
The person who lives in the home was too shaken to appear on camera but told KTLA that three masked suspects broke in while she was inside and took off within minutes.
The LAPD spokesperson was unable to confirm that detail, or any other details, right away. It was unclear whether anything was taken from the home.
The alleged break-in came less than a day after L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and other officials announced arrests in a string of burglaries mainly plaguing the San Fernando Valley. At a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Karen Bass said there has been a 30% reduction year-to-date in property crimes and burglaries.
The LAPD says part of their strategy is to saturate areas, like the Valley, that have been targeted disproportionately, using visible officers and others “behind the scenes.”
“Burglaries in the city are down over 30%, reflecting the effectiveness of our proactive enforcement and prevention strategies,” LAPD Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard said. “We are aware that the burglary crews are highly organized and sophisticated, and we are constantly adjusting our strategies to counteract their tactics.”
That said, the LAPD is down anywhere from 800 to 1,400 police officers. The mayor said she’s fighting to hire more and is using mental health professionals on calls which don’t require a police officer.
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