The story behind the BSO Weston Employees of the Month for April 2026 is not a short one.  It highlights a complex six month investigation involving multiple law enforcement resources and assets, to uncover a group that was confirmed as a South American Theft Group or SATG, operating in multiple counties in south Florida and various states across the country. 

In August of 2025, the Windmill Ranch community began experiencing a series of unoccupied residential burglaries. Unknown suspects were unlawfully gaining entry via rear glass doors or windows.  Once inside, master bedrooms were targeted, and safes were forcibly pried or cut open to remove jewelry and cash from within.  The crime trend was slow to develop, with the burglaries occurring several weeks and months apart, but the common day of the week was on Friday or Saturday evenings between 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

Based on the intelligence gathered, a tactical operational plan was implemented utilizing both Weston District and Burglary Apprehension Team (BAT) personnel. This operation was active seven days a week and included both exterior perimeter and interior positions in the community to monitor any suspicious activity.  Concealed surveillance technology was also utilized and installed at various locations to enhance coverage.      

Through detailed crime scene processing, DNA blood evidence was collected from one of the burglaries and expedited to the BSO crime lab, revealing the identity of one of the suspects involved. 

Based on the criminal history of this suspect, it was confirmed that BSO was dealing with a group commonly referred to in law enforcement as South American Theft groups… or “SATG’s”.  South American Theft groups are highly sophisticated organized criminal networks who illegally enter the country, primarily from Chile, Peru, and Colombia.  They commit high-value burglaries to unoccupied residential homes and jewelry stores, and are responsible for millions of dollars in losses, while traveling throughout the country.  Identifying and arresting members of the SATG groups is very limited, due to their quick movement from city to city, and deliberate concealment efforts while committing crimes. 

Utilizing numerous investigative resources, along with extensive surveillance that was conducted over several months, BAT detectives were able to identify vehicles being used and locations where possible suspects were residing throughout Dade and Broward County.  In partnership with Homeland Security and the FBI, the team was able to positively identify four suspects, two of which were females that had active federal felony warrants for a jewelry store burglary in the state of Texas. 

To avoid any detection from law enforcement, equipment such as wi-fi jammers, two-way radios, cell phones, and in some cases inflatable boats to cross over bodies of water to gain access into the community were identified.        

On New Years Eve, two suspects burglarized an unoccupied home in the community.  The owner received an alert and video footage on his phone of the in-progress crime.  Immediately calling 911, operational detectives and deputies already positioned in and around the community immediately responded to the house and quickly captured one of the suspects as he was attempting to flee the neighborhood.  He was arrested and charged with a 1^st degree felony for committing the residential burglary and is currently incarcerated at the Broward County Jail on a NO BOND hold, along with a NO BOND immigration hold.     

Following this arrest, through continuing intelligence and coordination with HSI, FBI, Coral Springs PD, and the City of Miami Tactical Robbery Unit, four known suspects were arrested for active warrants and NO BOND immigration holds. 

On Wednesday, March 25^th, the DNA suspect resurfaced in Zionsville Indiana, attempting to commit yet another high-value residential burglary.  Both the Whitestown Metro Police Department and the Zionsville Police Department were outstanding and successfully apprehended Weston's suspect.  He is currently being held on felony warrants in California, Texas, and the warrant here in Broward County.  He is being extradited back to Broward County by Sgt. O’Dor to be formally charged. 

Over the course of six months, this complex investigation involved the coordination of numerous law enforcement resources and assets throughout the state and country.  Sergeants and detectives attended Town Hall and HOA meetings in the Windmill Ranch community, to minimize rumors, communicate credible information, and ease the fear of residents. 

The men and women recognized for Employees of the Month, took complete ownership of this crime trend and were driven to identify and arrest those responsible for committing these violating crimes, sending a clear message that BSO will not tolerate crime in Weston, and suspects will be relentlessly pursued until they are captured.  In total, six individuals were arrested and remain in custody.

From the Broward Sheriff’s Office Weston District:

Sgt. Bobby O’Dor

Sgt. Steve Baretto

Sgt. Arik Levy

Sgt. Mike Weiner

Det. Arione Scott

Det. Ronald Fernandez

Detective Maria Ropain

Detective Michael Kravecz

Detective Nelson Prieto

Deputy Kelly Bober

Crime Analyst Shana Gianino

From the Broward Sheriff’s Office Burglary Apprehension Team… also known as “BAT”:

Sgt. Matt Marks

Sgt. Javier Duran

Det. Joseph Barrios, who serves as a Task Force Officer for Homeland Security Investigations, also known as “HSI”.

Det. Michael Merrill

Det. Connor Bradshaw

Det. Yasmani Garcia

Det. Stephen Noriega

Det. James Claburn

Det. Jose Machado

From the Plantation Police Department:

Det. Ryan Duty

Det. Robert Hogg

Det. Chavez Grant

The Plantation Police Detectives are detached from their agency to BAT, which is a multi-jurisdictional task force working together as one team.

For their outstanding efforts and dedication in serving the community they are recognized as the April 2026 Employees of the Month