‘Operation Growing Pains’ Yields Arrests Of Sophisticated Burglary Ring In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade authorities have broken up an alleged high-tech theft ring in what they called “Operation Growing Pains.”

Authorities said the theft ring includes 10 people. Prosecutors also said the ring included the ring leader’s mother and girlfriend.

They discovered it all after one person was arrested for trafficking marijuana from grow houses and that suspect’s two cell phones showed an operation similar to a movie.

10 people were arrested during Operation Growing Pains. (CBS4)

“They would stalk and surveil their planned victims before committing the burglaries. Sometimes preparing weeks in advance before they would strike,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

The state attorney says the ring’s list included targeting a New York Yankees relief pitcher, who was almost a victim.

“They also felt very arrogant, very bold, and brash about what they were doing. They felt, that what appears from these photographs, they were unstoppable,” the chief prosecutor said.

The crimes date back to, at least 2018. The state attorney says they tracked victims through open pages on social media.

They looked at pricey jewelry and their locations.

At times, they’re accused of going as far as placing a tracking device on a victim’s car.

Prosecutors say suspects recorded video of victims’ homes and even followed them.

It may sound like undercover work because it’s similar to what detectives did to track down suspects.

“They were using it to find the victims and we were using it against them to find them,” the state attorney said.

Earlier this month, accused ring leader Xandi Garcia was charged in connection to breaking into and stealing jewelry from a Miami Beach hotel room during super bowl weekend. It’s where a celebrity jeweler was staying.

Also, you may remember a picture of a man wearing a black hoodie with his face covered during a theft last October in Miami-Dade.

Investigators say the suspect, who was involved in this ring, posted a picture on his social media stating “no face, no crime.”

The state attorney said he thought he could get away by posting the picture.

“One of our lessons is to be very mindful when you’re doing that. There are bad guys out there waiting for you,” she said.

The state attorney says eight of the ten suspects are facing racketeering charges.

Prosecutors say they also found evidence the suspects wanted this operation to grow.

‘Operation Growing Pains’ Yields Arrests Of Sophisticated Burglary Ring In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle held a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to announce the arrests of members of a sophisticated burglary ring during ‘Operation Growing Pains.’

Fernandez Rundle said the group utilized sophisticated surveillance techniques and equipment, and social media to commit their crimes.

10 people were arrested during Operation Growing Pains. (CBS4)

Fernandez Rundle said this group worked like seasoned police investigators. They would look at their victims’ social media accounts, place GPS devices on their cars and would prepare weeks in advance to commit their crimes. She also said they were very arrogant.

“We are here today to announce 10 arrests of an organized crime ring. They preyed on the residents of Miami-Dade County,” Fernandez Rundle said.

“They utilized some of their girlfriends and even the ringleader’s mother to make their enterprise work.”

She named Xandi Garcia as the ringleader. Fernandez Rundle said all but two of the defendants face racketeering charges or conspiracy to racketeer, among other charges.

Fernandez Rundle asked the media to send a strong message to the public about what is happening on social media.

She warned citizens to be aware of what they post because they could be making it easier for criminals to target them. In particular, she mentioned folks who take photos at the airport and then post.

“Be mindful of what you post on social media.”