Detectives in Ventura County say they’ve broken up a rooftop burglary ring which has stolen at least a million dollars worth of merchandise from Southern California pawn shops and jewelry stores.
Simi Valley Police detectives say the burglars cut holes in the roofs and walls of businesses, and then breached steel and cement safes.
The investigation started last December, when Simi Valley police arrested Jesus Rios during a break in at a pawn shop in the city. Detectives say as they investigated, they found a string of similar burglaries in Simi Valley, Ventura, Apple Valley, and Redlands dating back to 2014. They served search warrants this week at homes in Temple City, and La Puente, where they say they recovered burglary tools and some stolen jewelry.
Rios, who was out on bail, was re-arrested. Rafael Morales was arrested as he was returning to the U.S. from a trip to Mexico. They’ve both pled not guilty to criminal conspiracy, and burglary charges. Investigators think there could be four more burglars involved with the ring still at large.
