Police: 3 members of Chilean burglary crew strike homes in Nassau

Authorities say they recovered jewelry, hand bags, electronic devices and clothing believed to have been taken from homes.

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2020, 5:12 PM

Updated 1,565 days ago

Share:

Three people were arrested Tuesday in connection to numerous home burglaries in Nassau County.
Police say the suspects arrested were part of a burglary organization from Chile.
Police arrested Boneek Alexander Quintero-Baeza, 32, Alexandra Ivonne Pizarro-Blanche, 23, and Levy Frank Maury Brugman, 23, at a residence in College Point, Queens. Police say all three are from Chile and were taken into custody after authorities received tips about a burglary in Hewlett Harbor.

According to police, Quintero-Baeza broke into the Hewlett Harbor home in September and stole $25,000 in cash, designer bags and jewelry. Quintero-Baeza and Brugman
also committed a burglary in New Jersey and had been released without bond.

Prosecutors said in court that Quintero-Baeza has a long criminal record of burglaries in Spain and Argentina.

Quintero-Baeza's attorney says his client is innocent because he insists he was in California at the time.

Pizarro-Blanche is charged with conspiracy for allegedly renting the cars used in the burglaries.
Authorities say they recovered jewelry, hand bags, electronic devices and clothing believed to have been taken from homes. Police say multiple identifications were recovered and are believed to be aliases for the defendants allowing them to operate within the United States.

Police say a fourth suspect, Bryan Maldonado, is still at large. Police believe Maldonado is the ring leader and say he is also from Chile.

Nassau police believe the Chileans may be part of a larger criminal operation that stretches across the U.S. They say detectives are now working with federal authorities.

"We are looking at cases down in Miami," says Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "We are looking at cases in California and we are looking at Jersey and Connecticut also."

Nassau police say the defendants may be related to some other foreign burglary suspects who skipped out on court appearances.
 


More from News 12
0:48
Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

2:16
First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

First weekend of Newark’s youth curfew debuts to great success

2:14
Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

1:41
Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

0:16
Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

2:42
Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

2:11
Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

0:42
New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

0:22
Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

1:32
How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

0:25
Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

0:19
Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

0:29
Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

0:59
Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

0:26
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

1:59
Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

1:55
'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

1:48
'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

New Jersey National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

New Jersey National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams