cops bust burglary ring targeting south asian homes

Remember that wave of burglaries targeting South Asian homes in Northern Virginia, perpetrated by thieves with a discerning taste for gold? Police in Fairfax County have apparently caught the suspected burglars: Fairfax police charge 3 in probe of gold thefts.

Police have arrested two men a women from the New York City area. They suspect the burglars have hit 26 homes in Fairfax and three more in Loudoun County since January. Each time, the invaders disdained silver, gems and electronics, taking only gold jewelry, saris with gold threads and gold statues.

The victims were almost all South Asian and have said that their families traditionally pass 22-karat gold from generation to generation. Police said they believe gold was being stolen because it is selling at more than $1,000 an ounce. But they don't know how or why certain houses were targeted over others.

Francisco Gray, 39, of Nassau County, NY; Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, 27, and his wife, Melinda Soto, 33, both of Queens, NY, are currently in custody. Each is charged with four counts of burglary; four counts of grand larceny; and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Despite the arrests, police did not recover any stolen property or personal documents, such as passports and green cards, that also were taken. The investigation apparently still has a long way to go. More here: Three charged in year-long jewelry thefts.