The Colorado Crime Spree: Why Asian Homes are Targets

Burglars in Colorado have been targeting homes of Asian American business owners, and the problem is spreading. Over the past year, $1 million worth of cash and luxuries have been stolen from homes in Douglas County. Police believe this is part of a wider crime ring called the South American Theft Group. This issue isn't isolated to Douglas County; similar break-ins have been reported in 15 other Colorado counties. The thieves are using high-tech methods like hidden cameras and GPS trackers to monitor their targets. They might even be using Wi-Fi jammers to block security cameras and alarms. Police say these criminals specifically target Asian American business owners who often keep their money at home, especially first-generation immigrants. In neighboring Arapahoe County, there have been "dinnertime burglaries" on Friday evenings, targeting homes when residents are out. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office suspects these thieves are also part of the South American group. Law enforcement across multiple states, including Arizona, California, and Florida, are working together to combat this. While most thieves remain on the loose, one suspect, Yury Agudelo-Forrero, was arrested in November 2023 during a burglary at a Chinese restaurant owner's home. She has since been charged in multiple counties.