Two foreign nationals were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence for their roles in a multi-state burglary ring that targeted individuals of Asian descent, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Jorge Andres Cardenas Murillo, 32, a Colombian national identified as a central figure in the conspiracy, received a sentence of 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. An immigration detainer has been issued against him. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
Mohammed Islam, 30, a Bangladesh national, was sentenced to 33 months in prison with three years of supervised release. Islam pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, interstate transportation of property taken by fraud, and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
The group operated from July 2022 through December 2022 and burglarized homes in several states including Rhode Island. Their goal was to steal cash, jewelry, and other valuables and transport the goods across state lines for financial gain.
According to court documents, members surveilled individuals, businesses, and residences before committing burglaries or attempted burglaries in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Wisconsin, and Florida. The conspirators used methods such as drones and GPS trackers on vehicles to monitor potential victims’ movements. They also used drones and lookouts to track law enforcement activity and coordinated getaway drivers during the burglaries.
Court records show that at least $717,735 worth of property and cash was stolen by members of the conspiracy.
Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and Ly T. Chin prosecuted the cases. The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations with support from multiple local police departments across several states as well as federal agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service.
“The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Warwick and Smithfield, RI Police Departments; Shrewsbury and Framingham, MA Police Departments; Gorham, NH Police Department; Stamford, Wallingford, and Westport, CT Police Departments; West Allis, WI Police Department; New Castle County, DE Police Department; Manalapan, NJ Police Department; New York City Police Department; Jacksonville and Flagler County Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; Pennsylvania State Police; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.”
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