INDIAN HILL, Ohio (WKRC) – People who live in a wealthy local neighborhood have been targeted once again by a Chilean burglary ring. They are called “Tourist Burglars,” because they enter the country through the State Department’s Tourist Waiver Program.
Local 12 first brought this issue to light back in April, with stories following the Indian Hill Rangers putting out a pamphlet warning residents about Chilean burglars. It stated they were going to affluent neighborhoods in the U.S., casing homes, and then breaking in and taking, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry, cash and handbags.
The Indian Hill Rangers told Local 12 today that every few months these burglars return with the same M.O., and they are apparently back again.
This includes what happened to the Ramsey family. Right next to the Christmas tree in their Indian Hill home, a boarded-up glass door provided evidence of where burglars broke in last Friday night.
“They knew we were gone. They were apparently watching us,” said Ryan Ramsey. “And then, ‘Game on.’ That’s when they broke the window, came in and got what they wanted and took off. They were gone in five minutes.”
The Indian Hill Rangers were there minutes after the discovery, but the damage was done. They told the Ramsey’s they had been hit by Tourist Burglars, likely from Chile.
Local 12 interviewed retired Los Angeles Sheriff’s Detective Mike Maher in April.
“They probably took jewelry and valuables small and easy to carry,” he said. “They were probably dressed in dark clothing. They were probably driving a rental car, and probably that home was located on a green belt.”
Maher described then what would happen months later to the Ramsey’s. Ryan retraced the steps likely taken by the burglars.
“They focused mainly on our master closet,” he showed.
The burglars took designer handbags, watches and jewelry, including an irreplaceable grandmother’s wedding ring.
It’s a sophisticated syndicate based 6,000 miles away in Santiago, Chile. In 2014, the U.S. Department of State added Chile to its Visa Waiver list, a program designed to encourage business trade and tourism.
It allows people from the participating countries to come to the U.S. without obtaining a visa. The unintended consequence are people like the four suspects Local 12 reported on in the spring, who flew into Cincinnati last February via Los Angeles, then were caught after allegedly burglarizing a mansion in Carmel, Indiana.
The day before the Ramsey’s were burglarized, Indian Hill Rangers arrested John Nicolas Reynoso Rodriguez on two counts of burglary. He had with him a rope ladder and a cell phone signal jammer.
He’s accused of burglarizing mansions in Indian Hill. It is likely his accomplices are still out there and undeterred, as the Ramsey’s home was hit hours after Rodriquez was arrested.
“An overwhelming sense of violation,” said Ryan. “You start to question your security, whether or not you’re being watched.”
Local 12 asked the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security back in April why Chile has been allowed to remain on the visa waiver list, and why nothing has been done to stem these tourist burglars.
Local 12 never received a response.
After calling back on Thursday, the State Department told Local 12 it was a Homeland Security issue. Homeland Security referred back to the State Department.
The chairman of The House Committee on Homeland Security declined Local 12’s request for an interview. We will keep after these government officials and hold them accountable for a loophole that is being openly exploited by criminals.
The Indian Hill Rangers recommend people lock their doors and windows, activate burglar alarms, install cameras and shatter-proof windows. When going on vacation, light up your home inside and out and get a neighbor to bring in mail and packages. Most importantly they said, call police if you see someone who appears to be “casing” the neighborhood.
