Here we are again. Another Facebook post highlighting arrests of South American theft group members in Scottsdale, and once again, the Arizona Progress & Gazette finds itself in the unfortunate position of saying “it happened again.”
We’ve covered this story repeatedly—from our February 2024 piece examining whether organized crime played a role in Scottsdale burglaries to our ongoing coverage of “dinner-time burglaries” that have plagued the Valley with over 130 reported cases since November. Each time, we’ve highlighted the same concerning pattern: this is transnational organized crime, not random petty theft.
Yet here we are, with two more men linked to the South American theft group arrested just last week for allegedly stealing credit cards from elderly shoppers and using them to buy thousands of dollars worth of electronics. The arrests continue, but so does the crime.
Why does this pattern persist despite repeated arrests and media coverage? The answer lies in the sophisticated nature of these operations. Federal prosecutors say leaders recruited would-be burglars from South America to carry out crimes in cities across the country, making this a supply-and-demand issue. When one group gets arrested, another takes their place.
The problem isn’t just local law enforcement capacity: it’s systemic. These suspects often enter the country on the Visa Waiver Program, exploit jurisdictional complexities, and operate with the knowledge that even if caught, the risk-reward calculation still favors criminal activity.
What can we do? First, acknowledge this isn’t going away with a few arrests. Second, demand federal coordination that matches the criminals’ organizational sophistication. Third, support comprehensive immigration and visa reforms that close exploitable loopholes.
Most importantly, we must stop treating each arrest as Mission Accomplished. Until we address the root causes enabling these transnational crime networks, Scottsdale residents will continue reading the same story with different names.