The Broward Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that a six-month investigation into burglaries across the county has wrapped up with the arrest of ten individuals including the alleged ringleader.
The investigation started in early August 2014 when Hollywood Police asked for the help of the BSO’s Burglary Apprehension Team after several home burglaries in the city. Hollywood Police said the suspects kicked in the front doors of homes and then stole jewelry, electronics, personal information, and other items of value.
BSO said the first arrest was made on August 21 when three suspects were picked up. The BAT team said surveillance showed the crimes went beyond the three suspects and the city of Hollywood. From August through December, detectives with multiple agencies identified 40 members of a Broward gang believed to have more than 100 members.
Investigators said the gang is involved in dozens of residential burglaries throughout the county and said a 17-year-old was the ringleader. BSO said over the last five months several accomplices were arrested but the ringleader remained at large until Wednesday night.
Detectives stopped the teen while he was driving on the 600 block of Pembroke Road and took him into custody on warrants for burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft, and resisting without violence.
A total of ten people, including the ringleader were arrested in the crime sweep.
