Three Arrests Made in Break-Ins Linked to South American Crime Groups
Published on August 22, 2024
Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, August 22, 2024) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Steele Creek Division have arrested three suspects identified in a series of residential break-ins that are believed to be coordinated through a larger criminal network of South American theft groups.
The South American Theft Groups (SATGs) have also been called “crime tourists.” The trend involves highly skilled and mobile criminals who generally target wealthy households, stealing high-end designer items before returning to their country of origin.
The suspects in this recent Charlotte investigation are Alexander Panameno, 49, Anuar Noviteno, 33, and David Caicedo-Delgado, 34. Mr. Panameno and Mr. Noviteno are charged in at least 18 cases in Charlotte and potentially linked to more than 50 cases across the U.S. Mr. Caicedo-Delgado is a suspected getaway driver and is charged in one case in Charlotte and is under investigation for multiple cases outside of Charlotte. The 18 cases in this investigation occurred primarily in the Steele Creek Division between September 2023 and June 2024.
Over months of investigative work, detectives connected these 18 incidents through similarities in the methods of the burglaries and through surveillance footage gathered in several cases. Mr. Noviteno and Mr. Panameno generally broke into homes during daytime hours, wearing high-visibility clothing to appear as construction or lawncare workers to avoid suspicion. The suspects targeted victims with similar demographics and stole luxury items.
In May of 2024, detectives identified Panameno and Noviteno as suspects and identified several suspect vehicles including a White Ford Transit Van. Detectives coordinated surveillance operations in late May-early June of 2024. On June 7, 2024, officers and detectives tracked the White Ford Transit Van to a location on Tribune Drive. Mr. Panameno and Mr. Noviteno were witnessed breaking into a home and were subsequently arrested. Officers additionally arrested Mr. Caicedo-Delgado who was confirmed as the driver of the van.
Detectives additionally obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence connected to the suspects and the suspect vehicles on Walkers Cove Trail. During the search, detectives seized stolen luxury items including jewelry, watches and handbags with a value of approximately $130,000. They also seized items used in the burglaries including tools and masks, as well as more than $12,000 in cash.
If you are the victim of a residential break-in, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. Anyone with information about a residential break-in is asked to call 704-432-TIPS to relay information. The public can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
Below are some additional tips to help prevent your home from being targeted:
- Utilize deadbolts
- Install window locks
- Have good exterior lighting
- If you have an alarm, make sure it’s operational and registered
- Notify trusted neighbors when going out of town
- If you use a safe, make sure it’s at least 200 lbs.
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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, www.cmpd.org and www.JoinCMPD.com, is a progressive, technology-driven, metropolitan department that believes strongly in the principles of crime management, community collaboration, professional accountability and employee wellness. The department employs more than 1,900 sworn officers, 500 civilian employees and 500 volunteers.