ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A notorious theft ring originating from Colombia has been apprehended in Central Florida. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, this group specifically targeted Asian business owners in the area.

Authorities were alerted to the group’s activities following a significant burglary in Hillsborough County. This incident set off a chain of investigations that led law enforcement to track the criminals as they moved into Orange and Osceola counties.

“Hillsborough County deputies managed to trace the group to these locations, allowing our teams to work together and successfully dismantle their operations,” a statement from the sheriff’s office revealed.

Investigators discovered that the thieves meticulously planned their crimes, spending weeks studying the homes and businesses they intended to rob. Often posing as landscapers, they closely monitored their victims’ routines to strike at the opportune moment.

This elaborate scheme came to an abrupt halt on Monday when two suspects were caught red-handed. As they broke into a home in Orange County, an OCSO drone was hovering above, capturing the entire burglary in real-time, leading to their swift apprehension.

“A coordinated takedown followed in Osceola County, and all five suspects were arrested without incident,” the release continues.

Deputies said the suspects face charges of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief, and ICE detainers were placed on all suspects at the jail.