A daring $12 million jewelry heist in Denver has been linked to a sophisticated South American theft gang, raising concerns about “burglary tourism” and border security.
As if we didn’t have enough problems.
At a Glance
- Denver police and FBI identify suspect in $12 million Cherry Creek Shopping Center jewelry heist
- Chilean national Gustavo Salas Ortega linked to South American theft group
- Thieves posed as construction workers, used power tools to break into store
- Incident highlights concerns over “burglary tourism” and visa loopholes
- Congressional members call for tighter border security and immigration policies
Sophisticated Heist Uncovered
Denver police have unveiled details of a meticulously planned jewelry theft that occurred on July 22, resulting in the loss of over $12 million worth of jewelry and watches. The heist, which took place at the Hyde Park jewelry store in Cherry Creek Shopping Center, has been linked to a South American theft gang, sparking concerns about international criminal enterprises operating within U.S. borders.
According to investigators, four individuals traveled from California to Denver to execute the robbery. The group, disguised as construction workers, used power tools and blowtorches to break into the store through an adjacent wall. They spent approximately eight hours inside the premises, methodically emptying display cases and safes.
Despite triggering a burglar alarm during the heist, the thieves managed to complete their operation undetected. Mall security, in a critical lapse of judgment, dismissed the alert as a false alarm. This oversight allowed the criminals to escape with millions in stolen goods.
The Denver Police Department and FBI have since identified a key suspect in the case: Gustavo Salas Ortega, a Chilean national with ties to a South American theft group. Ortega is also linked to a similar heist in New Jersey on October 5, 2024, suggesting a pattern of organized, high-value thefts across the country.
“Burglary Tourism” Concerns
This incident has brought attention to the growing issue of “burglary tourism,” where foreign criminal enterprises exploit visa loopholes to enter the United States and commit crimes. The involvement of Chilean nationals in high-value thefts and home invasions has raised alarms among law enforcement and policymakers.
“American communities have experienced an outbreak of ‘burglary tourism,’ in which Chilean organized crime rings have been able to exploit the VWP loopholes by entering the U.S. without a visa or any proper criminal background check,” Rep. Chip Roy noted late last month.
Congressional members, including Representative Chip Roy, are calling for tighter border security and a reevaluation of immigration policies. There are growing demands to remove Chile from the Visa Waiver Program to prevent further exploitation by criminal elements.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects. The Denver Police Department has emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving this case and preventing future incidents.
Do we need any more evidence that South America is not sending its best here?
