We All Matter News 
Seven Charged in Organized LA Burglary Scheme as Officials Urge Community Vigilance
Seven people are now facing serious felony charges after prosecutors say they took part in a coordinated series of residential burglaries across Los Angeles County, with at least 20 break-ins reported throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding neighborhoods.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the alleged crimes as deliberate and systematic, targeting families in the very spaces meant to provide security and peace of mind. “Hardworking families deserve to feel safe in their homes,” Hochman said at a press conference, pledging accountability for those accused of carrying out the break-ins.
Authorities say the cases reflect a broader challenge facing Southern California: organized burglary rings that use sophisticated methods to track, surveil, and steal from residents — particularly in higher-income neighborhoods. Law enforcement officials noted that some of these groups are believed to have connections outside the United States, while emphasizing that criminal networks — not entire communities or immigrant populations — are responsible for the wrongdoing.
High-Tech Tactics and Pre-Planning
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, many of the alleged crews relied on detailed surveillance before striking. Investigators say suspects monitored social media posts to identify homes that appeared vacant, particularly when residents shared vacation updates or photos of expensive purchases.
“Please, whatever you do, don’t tell the world you’re in Paris when you live in LA,” Luna cautioned, urging residents to be mindful of what they post publicly online.
Officials allege that some suspects posed as delivery workers, carrying fake food delivery or package bags to avoid suspicion while approaching homes. Others allegedly planted hidden cameras in landscaping or used Wi-Fi jamming devices to disable security systems and cloud-based surveillance equipment.
Major Case Spanning Multiple Neighborhoods
The largest case centers on Byron Gonzálo Sáez Sotomayor, also known as Kevin Diaz. Prosecutors have charged him with 15 counts of first-degree residential burglary, three counts of attempted burglary, and one count of grand theft of a firearm.
Authorities allege that between January 2025 and May 2026, Sáez Sotomayor targeted 18 homes in communities including Reseda, Van Nuys, Encino, Granada Hills, Sun Valley, Beverlywood, and Westwood. Prosecutors say the stolen items included jewelry, handbags, cash, and a firearm.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the suspect was arrested May 4 following an alleged break-in in Beverlywood while a resident was still inside the home. The homeowner reportedly heard a loud crash, saw the suspect on surveillance cameras, and locked himself in a bathroom before calling 911.
Additional Arrests Across the Region
Three other individuals — Christopher Sanchez, Owen Rivera-Chacon, and Edisson Fabian Boyaca — have each been charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary related to a May 1 incident in Santa Clarita.
Investigators say Ventura County authorities tracked the suspects into Los Angeles County, coordinating a freeway stop with the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Sanchez was arrested during a traffic stop. Rivera-Chacon allegedly fled on foot before being found in a nearby dry streambed. Boyaca was later arrested driving another vehicle about a mile away.
Law enforcement officials report recovering jewelry, cash, a luxury handbag, gloves, burglary tools, and a Wi-Fi jamming device from the vehicles.
Rivera-Chacon, who authorities say has a previous strike conviction for residential burglary, could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted. Sanchez and Boyaca could each face up to six years.
In a separate case, Wilmar Santiago Castelblanco-Robles, Alan Rolando Rodriguez-Pulido, and Cristian Rios-Cuadros were each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary tied to an alleged April 26 break-in in Burbank. Neighbors reportedly witnessed suspicious activity and contacted police. Two suspects were located with the assistance of a helicopter using heat-detection technology, while a third was later arrested in a vehicle allegedly containing stolen wallets, watches, handbags, and jewelry.
Balancing Safety and Community Trust
Sheriff Luna noted that reported residential burglaries in LA County have declined more than 30% since 2022. Still, he acknowledged that crime statistics provide little comfort to families who have endured the trauma of a home invasion.
“When someone’s sanctuary is violated, statistics don’t matter,” Luna said. “People deserve to feel safe where they live.”
As the legal process unfolds, community advocates emphasize the importance of addressing organized crime without scapegoating immigrant communities or fueling fear. Public safety and civil rights, they argue, must go hand in hand. Holding individuals accountable for serious crimes is essential — but so is rejecting broad-brush narratives that divide working-class communities who all share the same fundamental desire: safe neighborhoods, stable homes, and dignity for their families.
In the face of these allegations, local officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, safeguard their privacy online, and look out for one another — reinforcing the principle that real safety grows from strong, informed, and united communities.
