A group of four Colombian nationals, living in the U.S. illegally, are accused of carrying out nine high-end residential burglaries across six Florida counties, with further investigations underway. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, and Collier counties, as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, led the investigation.
The suspects, who were living in Winter Garden, Florida, targeted homes owned by business owners and conducted surveillance before committing the burglaries. Their primary targets included jewelry, designer bags, and cash.
Polk County reported one confirmed burglary in Lakeland, while four additional burglaries in the county are under investigation and are suspected to be linked to the group. Four burglaries were committed in Hillsborough County, with one in each of the remaining counties. The total value of stolen property across the nine burglaries is estimated at $1.69 million.
“South American Theft Groups are targeting communities across the nation, and our suspects have exploited our weak border controls to enter the U.S. illegally for criminal purposes. Thanks to the dedication of our detectives, sheriff’s offices, FDLE, and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, we have made significant progress in holding these criminals accountable,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Suspect Details:
- Geraldine Galeano-Perez, 33 – Currently held in Polk County Jail with a bond set at $5.6 million, Galeano-Perez faces charges of racketeering, grand theft, conspiracy, and dealing in stolen property, among others. She has a criminal history in Colombia for illegal trafficking of firearms and grand larceny, as well as previous arrests in New York for drug possession, forgery, and money laundering.
- Milton Ayala-Sierra, 25 – Deported to Colombia, Ayala-Sierra faces charges of racketeering, burglary, and dealing in stolen property, with previous arrests in New York and charges in Hillsborough County. His bond is set at $2.5 million.
- Jason Alexander Higuera-Ruiz, 41 – Currently at large after cutting off his GPS monitor, Higuera-Ruiz faces multiple charges including racketeering, grand theft, and conspiracy. His bond is set at $5.6 million.
- Geiler Orobio-Cabezas, 36 – Currently held in Pinellas County Jail with a bond of $3.1 million, Orobio-Cabezas is charged with burglary, conspiracy, and possession of burglary tools, and has a prior arrest for burglary in Michigan.
Attorney General Ashley Moody praised the investigative work, stating, “These defendants conspired to commit multiple burglaries across Central Florida, stealing over $1.5 million worth of property. Thanks to law enforcement, they will face serious felony charges.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass added, “These criminals entered our country illegally and targeted our citizens. With strong leadership in Florida, public safety remains a top priority.”