Col. Michael J. Winquist, chief of the Cranston Police Department, last week announced the arrests of three men believed to be connected to a South American Theft Group following suspicious activity reported by alert neighbors and a subsequent vehicle stop that uncovered burglary tools, masks and other items commonly used in organized theft operations.

On Oct. 1, at 6:36 p.m., officers responded to Uxbridge Street, off Cranston Street, after receiving a report of suspicious activity involving a BMW SUV bearing a Virginia registration plate. The caller reported the vehicle was circling the neighborhood and observed an occupant wearing a camouflage hoodie and a full face mask walking in the area and taking photos of houses.

Neighbors coordinated to gather the vehicle’s information and video footage of the activity. They also reported seeing a subject emerge from the bushes of a nearby residence and walk down the street.

The caller suspected the individuals were surveilling a nearby residence to break in. The BMW was later detected on a Flock license plate reader, but officers were initially unable to locate it. At about 7:20 p.m., the vehicle triggered another alert on a different Flock camera.

Shortly thereafter, an alert patrol officer saw the car pass by his location, and other officers joined him in initiating a traffic stop. The BMW continued for several hundred feet while its occupants made furtive movements before eventually coming to a stop. The three occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and detained.

During the stop, officers observed a Uniden Bearcat police scanner in plain view and subsequently searched the vehicle, which led to the seizure of:

• 5 cellphones
• 2 black face masks
• 2 small flashlights
• 1 monocular
• 1 package of zip ties
• Various tools (screwdrivers, pliers, pocketknife)

• High-capacity USB power bank/charger
• $21 U.S. currency
• Assorted car keys
• Assorted clothing (hoodies, T-shirts, jackets, hats, sneakers)
• Tan Nike Jordan backpack
• Black Adidas backpack
• Gucci cross-strap purse

The suspects were identified as: Sergio Rodriguez Lopez, 36, of Elizabeth, N.J.; Jorge Cajamarca Pena, 49, of Flushing, N.Y.; and Felipe Quitian, 19, of Livingston, N.J.

Pena and Quitian are Colombian nationals. All three men are linked to South American Theft Group activity across the region. Lopez and Pena have lengthy criminal histories of theft and burglary in various states.

They were charged as follows:

• Rodriguez Lopez – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy, Possession of Burglary Tools, Felon in Possession of a Radio Scanner and Fugitive from Justice (wanted by Danbury, Connecticut police for Larceny 1st Degree).

• Jorge Cajamarca Pena – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy, Possession of Burglary Tools and Felon in Possession of a Radio Scanner.

• Felipe Quitian – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy and Possession of Burglary Tools.

All three were arraigned in District Court. Lopez was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and turned over to Connecticut authorities, while bail was set for Pena and Quitian at $10,000 with surety for each. Pena and Quitian are being held at the ACI Intake Center. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer on Quitian.

“This case underscores the importance of strong community-police partnerships,” Winquist said. “Thanks to alert neighbors who reported suspicious activity, and license plate reader technology, our officers were able to quickly intervene, prevent a potential crime and dismantle part of a larger theft group operating across the region.”