In a big police operation at 3:47 AM yesterday, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department caught four people at the corner of Maple Street and 42nd Avenue. These people are suspected of breaking into shops in three different areas. They're facing serious charges like stealing and causing damage. After their arrest, the police took them to Central Booking, where they were fingerprinted, photographed, and asked questions by detectives.
This arrest is the result of a three-month investigation. During this time, the police watched the suspects, checked evidence, and worked together with other police stations. The suspects are believed to have broken into 17 businesses between September 15 and December 12, taking items worth around $342,000 and damaging property. Security cameras from 12 shops showed the same way the suspects entered and left.
The police figured out a pattern in when the crimes happened. Most of the break-ins happened between 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. By looking at phone data and traffic camera videos, detectives linked the suspects to the places they robbed, which helped them make the arrests.
The people arrested are part of a larger gang that operates across state lines. Evidence suggests they're connected to similar burglaries in nearby areas, with 28 more cases being looked at by state and federal authorities.
A total of 47 officers from three police stations worked together on this case, with help from special units. The police believe that these arrests might solve 86% of the commercial burglaries reported in those areas during the past few months.
The four suspects will stay in jail until their next court hearing. They might've to pay a lot of money if found guilty, and they could spend 8 to 15 years in prison. The District Attorney's office has said that more charges could be added as the investigation continues.
