4 arrested for 40 burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Oregon

Police apprehended four suspects Monday in a series of home burglaries targeting Asian American residents in Oregon, reports KOIN.

Authorities served search warrants in Portland, the suburb of Oregon City and the Central Oregon community of Bend to seize evidence and make the arrests.

According to KATU, police confiscated two cars in Portland along with stolen jewelry. They also impounded a car and additional evidence in Bend.

The four suspects, all arrested in Bend, have been identified as Herbert Grueso-Vergara, Maria Castro-Gamboa, Fabio Vergara-Cortes, and Fatima Gomez-Aragon.  

They are all described as Colombian nationals and have all been extradited to Washington County.

Two months ago, investigators said they believed 10 burglaries in the Washington County communities of Beaverton, Tigard and unincorporated areas of the county were all connected.

All the break-ins targeted wealthy Asian American residents, KGW reported back then.

“So far, the victims are all affluent homeowners who are Asian Americans, and the suspect(s) use a similar method to break in,” the agencies said.

Police believe the suspects watched the homes from their cars and determined when the residents would be home.

Since then the 10 burglaries have been connected to 39 around the state.

“I think a lot of these communities are already at a heightened stress level and then this happening on top of it, really acknowledging that there’s probably more stress going on,” said Tom Sollitt, founder of Asian American Town which organizes the Asian American Night Market.