New York and New Jersey men connected to theft ring across region arrested in Rhode Island; one was wanted, ICE issued detainer on another

Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announced in a release “the arrests of three men believed to be connected to a South American Theft Group following suspicious activity reported by alert neighbors and a subsequent vehicle stop that uncovered burglary tools, masks, and other items commonly used in organized theft operations. 

On Wednesday at 6:36 p.m., “officers responded to Uxbridge Street after receiving a report of suspicious activity involving a BMW SUV bearing a Virginia registration plate. The caller reported the vehicle was circling the neighborhood and observed an occupant wearing a camouflage hoodie and a full-face mask walking in the area and taking photos of houses. Neighbors coordinated to gather the vehicle’s information and video footage of the activity. They also reported seeing a subject emerging from the bushes of a nearby residence and walking down the street. 

“The caller suspected the individuals were surveilling a nearby residence to break in. The BMW was later detected on a Flock license plate reader, but officers were initially unable to locate it. At approximately 7:20 p.m., the vehicle triggered another alert on a different Flock camera. Shortly thereafter, an alert patrol officer saw the car pass by his location, and other Officers joined him in initiating a traffic stop. The BMW continued for several hundred feet while its occupants made furtive movements before eventually coming to a stop. The three occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and detained. 

“During the stop, officers observed a Uniden Bearcat police scanner in plain view and subsequently searched the vehicle, which led to the seizure of: 

5 cell phones 

2 black face masks 

2 small flashlights 

1 monocular 

1 package of zip ties 

Various tools (screwdrivers, pliers, pocketknife) 

High-capacity USB power bank/charger  

$21 U.S. currency 

Assorted car keys 

Assorted clothing (hoodies, T-shirts, jackets, hats, sneakers) 

Tan Nike Jordan backpack 

Black Adidas backpack 

Gucci cross-strap purse 

The suspects were identified as: 

Sergio Rodriguez Lopez, 36, of Elizabeth, NJ 

Jorge Cajamarca Pena, 49, of Flushing, NY 

Felipe Quitian, 19, of Livingston, NJ 

Pena and Quitian are Colombian nationals. All three men are linked to South American Theft Group activity across the region. Lopez and Pena have lengthy criminal histories for theft and burglary in various states. 

They were charged as follows: 

Rodriguez Lopez – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy, Possession of Burglary Tools, Felon in Possession of a Radio Scanner, and Fugitive from Justice (wanted by Danbury, CT Police for Larceny 1st Degree). 

Jorge Cajamarca Pena – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Felon in Possession of a Radio Scanner. 

Felipe Quitian – Attempted Breaking & Entering, Conspiracy, and Possession of Burglary Tools. 

All three were arraigned in Third District Court Thursday. Lopez was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and turned over to Connecticut authorities, while bail was set for Pena and Quitian at $10,000 with surety. Both Pena and Quitian are being held at the ACI Intake Center. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer on Quitian. 

Colonel Winquist stated. “This case underscores the importance of strong community-police partnerships. Thanks to alert neighbors who reported suspicious activity and license plate reader technology, our officers were able to quickly intervene, prevent a potential crime, and dismantle part of a larger theft group operating across the region.”