3 Arrested for Targeting Asian Business Owners in Fort Collins Organized Crime Ring
Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) have arrested three suspects for their involvement in an organized crime ring that targeted Asian business owners.
According to a press release from the City of Fort Collins, their crime spree began in January of 2019, when four burglars, three male and one female, began ransacking the homes of local Asian business owners and taking cash, jewelry and safes.
When the spree ended in July of that year, 26 families had been victimized, with five living in Larimer County. The burglaries caused an estimated loss of $1.3 to $1.4 million.
"These were not just random burglaries that were occurring that we were piecing together," said Detective David Lindsay in a video statement from FCPS. "These were calculated, organized efforts to go after a specific population and specific things within that house."
Authorities later learned that the robberies were connected to organized crime rings with ties to South America. With the help of the FBI, they were able to identify all four suspects by September of 2020:
- Santiago Hoyos-Gaviria, 24, of Miami, Florida
- Yenny Zoraya Rodas-Florez, 30, of Miami, Florida
- Jhon Eder Florez-Molina, 28, of Miami, Florida
- Carlos Geovanny Florez-Molina, 34, of Miami, Florida
By April 1, 2021, authorities had located and arrested Hoyos-Gaviria, Rodas-Florez and Carlos Florez-Molina in Florida. They were extradited to Colorado and are currently in the Larimer County Jail, facing the following charges:
- Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA) - Pattern of Racketeering and Participating in an Enterprise (class 2 felony)
- COCCA - Conspiracy (class 2 felony)
- Second Degree Burglary to a dwelling (class 3 felony) - 24 counts
- Theft and/or Criminal Mischief - 20 counts
"The suspects in this international case brazenly victimized members of our community and beyond, and they will finally be held accountable," said FCPS Criminal Investigations Assistant Chief Tim Doran in the release. "Every crime is wrong, but one focused against a particular race or ethic group is particularly reprehensible. I'm also grateful for teamwork with local, state, and federal partners to help 26 families seek justice."
Authorities believe Jhon Florez-Molina is evading arrest in Columbia, where he remains a fugitive.
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