Crime tourists continue burglarizing metro Phoenix homes. Here's what you need to know

After 131 confirmed dinnertime burglaries in high-profile metro Phoenix neighborhoods, many residents are worried they could be the next victim.

About 1,000 people packed Scottsdale's Highland Church on Tuesday and submitted questions to Scottsdale police, as officials gave an update on the cases and provided security tips.

Lorraine Sanders said she has been worried about her safety and her home as the most recent crime wave has developed.

"I've lived here in Scottsdale and this area for 27 years and I have never been frightened like I am now," said Sanders. "I lock my doors constantly."

Thieves responsible for a series of dinnertime burglaries in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have targeted homes when residents were away and under the cloak of darkness. Jewelry, cash and precious metals stolen from homes have been sold on the black market.

Scottsdale police said a total of 33 burglaries were confirmed in the city; 131 cases have been throughout the Valley since the first trend of burglaries started in 2019.

The Tuesday meeting focused on what law enforcement describes as crime tourists, typically originating from South America, and the high-tech, dedicated means the criminals used to elude arrest.

Scottsdale chief addresses concerned residents

The meeting was held at a church in north Scottsdale just underneath McDowell Mountain foothill homes like the DC ranch neighborhood, which has been victimized.

The church's main hall was near its capacity of 1,500 people when Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther took the stage, addressing one of the most frequently asked questions submitted by the public: the right to self-defense.

Walther, who described himself as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, emphasized to the crowd that Arizonans needed a strong, articulable explanation for the use of self-defense.

"I get questions all the time of what if they're running down the street out of my house. No, if they're standing on the other side of the door, and it's locked you might want to just hold for a second," said Walthers.

What did the community have to say about recent burglaries?

As the packed church hall emptied on the campus grounds, Rico Bonucelli and Sanders reflected on living with the threat of break-ins.

Sanders added that a guard dog helped her and Bonucelli feel safer in their home.

Bonucelli, a supporter of gun ownership, said that "oftentimes we're misled with the fact that you're protecting your own home, but people don't realize you could be in Jeopardy if you shoot and kill somebody, and you can't prove that there was anything really threatening."

Bonucelli described his home near Pinnacle Peak as near a wash of the same type that the burglars were known to traverse before scaling property walls.

"That's an area that you could use drones," said Bonucelli, reflecting on Scottsdale's use of technology.

How crime tourists are stealing millions in Arizona

Lt. Jeffery Hawkins, Scottsdale's expert on the topic, worked on recent surveillance operations that saw the burglars in action. He said crime tourists were believed to be exploiting a visa-less entry into the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization program. The waives a visa for tourists and businesspeople like bankers who are entering the country for a short time.

Chile became part of the program in 2014, two years before the first pattern of burglaries in high-end neighborhoods were reported in Los Angeles, he said.

In 2019 and 2022, Scottsdale police arrested a total of 7 Chilean nationals, four of whom were convicted of burglary-related crimes and were in prison, according to Hawkins.

An FBI investigation found that the crimes were being committed by a loosely connected series of syndicates that didn't have the same hierarchy as traditional organized crime, Hawkins said during his presentations.

Hawkins said that the crime tourists used different strategies that have proven uniquely successful in victimizing Arizonans.

"We don't know who they are. We don't know their family. We don't know where and if they've done any criminal activity in their native country like Chile, we don't have access to that information." said Hawkins. "It's a blank slate that we have to start putting together," added Hawkins.

Hawkins said the crime tourists often ship stolen items to South America or to be sold in larger black-market rings on the West and East coasts.

"This crew is fast, elusive and professional," said Hawkins, who described the burglars as "ghosts."

Hawkins also added that police have found the group using Wi-Fi and cellular signal jammers, which can disable the signal to a home's security system. The device, which consists of a green plastic brick with dozens of black antennae exiting the top, can invade a signal from 30 to 50 feet away.

What do crime tourists steal?

Hawkins and the rest of the police panel at the meeting said crime tourists target master bedrooms where it's common to find easy-to-steal items like jewelry, cash, precious metals and designer handbags.

The panel did not observe the crime tourists ever taking weapons from a property. They also took safes that were small enough to be picked up and carried.

Crime tourists historically never stole guns, vehicles or items like TVs or computers.

How are police trying to prevent burglaries?

Scottsdale police at the event highlighted the need for the community to come forward with any information that may lead to a break in the investigation.

Police officers were increasing their patrol in specific areas where the crimes were known to be taking place the most, such as between Hayden Road and 131st Street alongside the McDowell Mountains.

Hawkins said active surveillance to catch crime tourists in the act was happening seven days a week in conjunction with other Valley police departments.

Scottsdale police encouraged concerned residents to contact crime prevention officer Rob Kataroff at 480-312-3802 for an evaluation of a home's security.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale police hold town hall as dinnertime burglaries top 130