Last month, a Southern California couple, Carol and Jeff Starr, faced a devastating loss when thieves broke into their home and stole jewelry worth an estimated $8 million. The stolen items included the couple's wedding rings and heirloom jewelry passed down from Carol's late mother, who had a passion for collecting beautiful and valuable pieces.
The break-in was part of a larger issue involving what prosecutors refer to as 'burglary tourists.' These individuals enter the United States from countries eligible for visa waivers, such as South America, and join sophisticated burglary rings that target luxury homes. The thieves often use tactics like wearing ghillie suits to remain camouflaged and jamming WiFi signals to disable alarm systems.
Authorities have noted a concerning trend of Chilean nationals being involved in these burglary rings. Recent arrests in cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, and reports from other states like Maryland, North Carolina, and New York highlight the widespread nature of this criminal activity. While not all Chileans entering the US on visa waivers are involved in crimes, the issue has become a national concern.
Police departments across the country have reported hundreds of residential burglaries linked to transnational theft groups, with Ventura County alone attributing 175 such incidents between 2019 and mid-2023. Law enforcement officials are calling for a reevaluation of the visa waiver program and increased scrutiny of individuals entering the country under this provision.
The Starr family's experience serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of luxury homeowners to organized burglary operations. The emotional toll of such violations of personal space and security is profound, as Carol Starr expressed her relief that no one was home during the burglary but also her anger at the invasion of their privacy.
