After an intensive investigation spanning several years, law enforcement agencies have arrested four individuals connected to an alarming series of burglaries victimizing South Asian families across 25 towns in Massachusetts. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced the apprehension of two brothers, their father, and an accomplice, all from Rhode Island, who allegedly perpetrated 43 burglaries, resulting in over $4 million in stolen valuables, including cherished family heirlooms.
The indictments unveiled a disturbing pattern: the perpetrators meticulously selected their targets based on the victims’ South Asian heritage, exploiting cultural traditions that often include the possession of valuable gems, jewelry, and cash. This calculated violation of privacy and security not only left a trail of financial loss but also inflicted profound emotional and cultural trauma on the affected families.
During the announcement of the arrests, DA Ryan underscored the sophistication of the ring, explaining that the criminals “were disciplined in concealing their identity, avoiding alarms and minimizing cell phone use before, during and after the breaks and using Wi-Fi jammers.” Authorities believe this forethought and precision contributed significantly to the elusive nature of the crime spree that spanned from 2018 to 2024.
The suspects, identified as Jovan Lemon, 29, and Paul Lemon, 30, their father, Paul Miller, 46, and Steven Berdugo, 28, face a total of 95 counts each of unarmed burglary and breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. According to DA Ryan, the crew was linked to a gang based in Providence, Rhode Island, and was well-known to law enforcement agencies in the region.
Their arrest followed a nine-month-long collaborative effort involving 39 different police agencies, indicating the complex and extensive nature of the investigation required to dismantle such a well-organized criminal enterprise. Law enforcement officials discovered that the burglars employed tools like Wi-Fi jammers and possibly GPS trackers to evade detection and identify optimal times for their crimes.
“Oh my god, we feel so relieved,” said Rahul Khanna of Weston.
He is speaking on behalf of his friends and fellow members of the South Asian community who have been anxious for years due to a series of troubling home break-ins that started in 2018, with the most recent one occurring less than a month ago.
“People have been living here for 40 years, and they say they never had a situation like this,” Khanna said.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Sophisticated’: Four men arrested after break-in string targeting South Asians in 25 Mass. towns, boston25news.com, 04/28/2024
– Police bust ‘very sophisticated ring of homebreakers’ that targeted South Asians’ homes in Mass., NBC Boston, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:11:44 GMT
– 4 arrested in jewelry thefts that “traumatized” Indian, South Asian families in 25 Massachusetts towns, CBS Boston, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:23:26 GMT
– 4 Arrested In Burglaries Targeting Indian, South Asians In MA, Patch, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:51:02 GMT
– South Asian families living in Massachusetts targeted by robbers, DA says, WCVB Boston, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:26:00 GMT