News Release from: Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
DETECTIVES CAPTURE GOLD BURGLARY SUSPECTS
Posted: November 13th, 2012 6:05 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-11/1128/59334/silver_bar.JPG (Searching for Owner)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-11/1128/59334/Rodney_Portocarrero_Riascos.jpg (In Texas Jail)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-11/1128/59334/Deenys_Yossimar_Ramos.jpg (In Texas Jail)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-11/1128/59334/Ana_Gutierrez.jpg (In Washington County Jail)
Washington County Sheriff's Detectives arrested three suspects in Houston, Texas, who are responsible for committing more than 40 burglaries throughout the Portland Metropolitan area since April 2011. The suspects specifically targeted gold. A warrant has been issued for a fourth suspect, who is charged with more than 10 different crimes.
Full Details
Law enforcement began responding to numerous residential burglaries in April 2011 throughout Washington County, Portland, Beaverton, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Vancouver. The crimes were widespread geographically and involved law enforcement from many jurisdictions.
As the reports poured in, Sheriff's detectives began reviewing evidence from more than 40 reported local burglaries. The suspects primarily focused on stealing gold, jewelry and currency. The crimes were similar enough to convince investigators that a group of individuals was coming into the area periodically to commit these crimes in waves, and then fleeing the state.
Recognizing that the crimes were widespread and affecting multiple jurisdictions, Washington County Sheriff's Detectives reached out to local agencies to form a regional task force to track down the burglary and robbery suspects. Our Property Crimes Detectives worked closely with investigators from the Portland Police Bureau, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, and police departments from Beaverton, Gresham, Tigard, Tualatin and Vancouver. The task force was able to connect the local crimes to similar crimes in numerous other states, such as Texas, Colorado, Virginia, Georgia, and Washington.
By analyzing vast amounts of evidence and witness statements, detectives determined the persons responsible for the crimes were from Texas. The suspects would arrive in the metro area in rented vehicles, commit the burglaries, then leave quickly back to Texas. They bought tools from local hardware stores to use in the crimes and then threw them away before heading back to Texas. The thieves targeted victims who they believed would have gold or jewelry in their homes. They would then break in to homes when they thought the residents were away. They would often smash in a rear door to gain entry to the homes.
On two occasions, suspects discovered residents unexpectedly at home. They bound the victims with items found in the house during the robbery. Fortunately no one was injured in these incidents.
Initially the investigation was complicated by the fact that people can sell gold at numerous locations with few regulations. This made it difficult to track where the stolen property was sold. Investigators now believe the gold and other jewelry was transported and sold in Texas to support the suspects' lifestyles.
In July 2012, Houston Detectives were contacted and worked closely with Washington County and Portland detectives to positively identify and locate the subjects in Texas.
On October 27, 2012, Washington County Sheriff's Detectives served arrest warrants on the suspects in Texas with the assistance of investigators from Portland and Houston. Three people were arrested; one was transported to the Washington County Jail and the other two are incarcerated in Texas pending extradition. One subject is still at large and is believed to be hiding in Canada.
The suspects, all from Houston, Texas, and are listed below (photos are attached):
1.Ana Maria Gutierrez, age 32, is lodged in the Washington County Jail. She is charged with nine different charges ranging from Burglary, Felony Theft, Robbery, and Kidnapping. She is held on $1,500,000 bail.
2.Rodney Portocarrero Riascos, age 18, is lodged in Houston, Texas, awaiting extradition.
3.Deenys Yossimar Ramos, age 24, is lodged in Houston, Texas, awaiting extradition.
4.Vanderley Ortiz, age 30, is believed to be in Vancouver, BC, avoiding current warrants for his arrest.
The investigation is continuing as detectives believe additional victims may not have reported a theft or have not yet realized they were the victim of a crime. A 50-ounce silver ingot was recovered by detectives, but has not yet been tied to a reported burglary (photo attached). Detectives hope someone will realize they are missing the silver ingot and call the Sheriff's Office.
Citizen reports of suspicious people and vehicles in their neighborhoods were extremely valuable to investigators in this long and detailed investigation. The Sheriff's Office appreciates neighbors watching out for each other and reporting any people, vehicles, or behavior that seem suspicious or out of place.
Sheriff's detectives remind citizens to protect themselves from becoming crime victims. Citizens should consider securing valuables in safes or safety deposit boxes to make them difficult to steal.
Detectives continue to seek assistance from citizens in the investigation of these cases. If you have any information, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at (503) 846-2500.
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