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Police identify burglary ring

They broke into at least 20 cars since February, taking credit cards and spending more than $10,000.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published November 23, 2005

CLEARWATER - The group from Tampa found Pinellas County's beaches a lucrative environment for their stealing, authorities said Wednesday. From Clearwater Beach to Fort De Soto State Park, they broke into at least 20 cars since February, targeting not the vehicle or its stereo, but the credit cards left behind in wallets and purses.

Perhaps the thieves reasoned that beachgoers are more likely to leave those items inside their cars while they hit the water. "That's a reasonable explanation," said Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen.

On Wednesday, sheriff's detectives, with the help of Clearwater and Tampa police, arrested four suspects: Juan Carlos Nunez, 36; Marta Tamara Vilaragut, 46; Ernesto Moreno-Urr, 38; and Erick Aguilar-Torres, 32. All four face charges of organized fraud and criminal use of personal identification.

Investigators were still looking for a fifth person whose name was not made public, McMullen said.

"They were very deliberate and generally targeted unlocked cars," he said.

The group typically worked in pairs and trolled for credit cards, investigators said. After finding some, the thieves often left the owner's wallet or purse undisturbed, buying them extra time before the missing cards were discovered.

They racked up more than $10,000 on the stolen cards, most of it in cash withdrawals, McMullen said.

"That figure is expected to grow as the investigation gets further," he said.

Over time, detectives began to develop better descriptions of the suspects and, in concert with Clearwater police, identified the people arrested Wednesday.

Deputies said people should be careful about what they leave in their vehicles, especially during the holiday season.

"People must be cognizant of securing their cars," McMullen said. "They should, if possible, not leave packages or gifts in their cars and certainly they should not keep valuables in plain view."

[Last modified November 23, 2005, 17:25:02]