Broward Burglary Spree Ends in Arrests Tied to South American Theft Ring

The Broward Sheriff's Office announced arrests in a series of at least six burglaries plaguing the exclusive Windmill Ranch Estates gated community in Weston, Florida, from August 2025 through early 2026. Investigators tied the crimes to an organized South American theft group known for hitting affluent neighborhoods across the U.S., with stolen cash and jewelry totaling $2 million in this spree alone.[2][3] Deputies formed a multi-agency task force after the repeated break-ins, where suspects forced entry through windows and doors to raid home safes while owners were away.[2] Daniel Osorio-Valencia was nabbed at the scene of an active burglary, backpack stuffed with a Wi-Fi jammer, sledgehammer, screwdriver, wallet and jewelry. His alleged accomplice, 38-year-old Chilean national Jose Elias Barrozo-Espinosa, was arrested in Zionsville, Indiana, last month after a wooded chase near a highway and extradited to Broward County. DNA from blood left at a November 8, 2025, heist—where suspects shattered a window and stole a safe holding $500,000 in gold and jewelry—matched Barrozo-Espinosa, per arrest warrants.[4][2] Barrozo-Espinosa faces charges of burglary, over $1,000 in property damage and first-degree grand theft; a judge found probable cause this week.[2] Suspects infiltrated the gated Weston enclave via inflatable boats on surrounding waterways, dodging vehicle security gates. Four additional accomplices linked to the crew are in custody on unrelated charges in other states, with BSO Sgt. Robert O’Dor warning the group targets celebrities and pro athletes without lingering in one spot.[4][2] In a separate Broward incident, Abraham Recinos was arrested after surveillance caught him brazenly sitting on a roof during a deputy patrol, leading to charges of multiple burglaries, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, hitting a service animal and trespass following a violent homeowner confrontation.[1] BSO urges Weston and Broward residents to vary routines, install exterior lights and secure safes, as South Florida suburbs like Windmill Ranch remain prime targets for these transient crews.