The defendants are responsible for at least 20 burglaries, many in the San Fernando Valley 

May 21, 2026 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Seven people have been charged with felonies in connection with a surge of organized residential burglaries that has affected the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities over the past several months.

“These organized burglary crews target hardworking families in the very place they should feel safest, their homes,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “The conduct alleged in these cases is brazen, calculated and predatory. These defendants are accused of prowling neighborhoods, smashing their way into homes and stealing from families who were left shaken and violated. If you come into our communities to terrorize neighborhoods and prey on innocent people, law enforcement will track you down and you will be held accountable.”

People v. Sanchez, Rivera-Chacon and Boyaca (Case 26SFCF00924)

Christopher Sanchez (25), Owen Rivera-Chacon (24) and Edisson Fabian Boyaca (27) are each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary.

Rivera-Chacon also faces allegations of a prior strike conviction for a serious or violent felony: a first-degree residential burglary.

The defendants pleaded not guilty and their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for June 2 in Department G of the San Fernando Courthouse.

Rivera-Chacon’s bail was set at $125,000 and Boyaca’s bail was set at $50,000. Sanchez was released on his own recognizance subject to electronic monitoring over the prosecution’s objection. If convicted as charged, Sanchez and Boyaca each face six years in state prison, while Rivera-Chacon faces 17 years in state prison.

On May 1, deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office tracked the suspected burglary crew into Santa Clarita, where a joint surveillance operation with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department led to the defendants’ arrests in connection with a residential burglary. Deputies followed the suspects’ vehicle, conducted a traffic stop on the freeway and arrested Sanchez, the driver. Rivera-Chacon allegedly fled on foot and was detained in a nearby dry streambed. Boyaca was stopped and arrested driving a different car approximately one mile away. 

Investigators believe the defendants may be connected to additional burglaries in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. They allegedly stole jewelry, cash and a high-end handbag.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Blanca Martinez of the San Fernando Branch Office and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

“The dedicated efforts of our detectives, deputies, and law enforcement partners who worked on this case were instrumental in identifying those responsible, recovering critical evidence, and bringing those responsible to face justice,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “Residential burglary is more than a crime against property, it is a violation of a victim’s sense of safety, security, and peace of mind. Through strong investigative work, coordinated enforcement efforts, and a shared commitment to accountability, we are sending a clear message: those who target our communities will be identified, pursued, and held accountable.”

“These arrests are the result of strong collaboration with our neighboring law enforcement partners and our shared commitment to protecting the communities we serve,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.

People v. Sáez Sotomayor (Case 26SFCF00953)

Byron Gonzálo Sáez Sotomayor, also known as Kevin Diaz (27), is charged with 15 counts of first-degree residential burglary, three counts of attempted first-degree residential burglary and one count of grand theft of a firearm. It is further alleged that on four occasions at least one resident was present during the commission of the burglary or attempted burglary.

Sáez Sotomayor pleaded not guilty to all charges. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for June 10 in Department H of the San Fernando Courthouse. He is being held on $1.4 million bail. If convicted as charged, he faces 26 years in state prison.

Between January 2025 and May 2026, Sáez Sotomayor allegedly burglarized or attempted to burglarize 18 single-family residences in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, often targeting multiple homes in a single evening. Five occurred in Reseda, two in Van Nuys, two in Encino, one in Granada Hills and one in Sun Valley. The remaining seven incidents occurred in Beverlywood, Westwood and other locations in Los Angeles County. He is suspected of additional burglaries in the San Fernando Valley. He allegedly stole jewelry, handbags, money and a firearm.

The defendant was arrested while allegedly fleeing from a burglary in the Beverlywood area on May 4.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth French of the Organized Crime Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Residential burglaries strike at the heart of people’s sense of safety, and we are responding with precision, urgency, and coordination,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “The LAPD will continue to pursue organized burglary crews relentlessly until our neighborhoods are secure.”

People v. Castelblanco-Robles, Rodriguez-Pulido and Rios-Cuadros (Case 26PDCF00395)

Wilmar Santiago Castelblanco-Robles (20), Alan Rolando Rodriguez-Pulido (34) and Cristian Rios-Cuadros (24) are each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary.

Castelblanco-Robles and Rios-Cuadros pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for June 18 in Department J of the Pasadena Courthouse. Pulido’s next court date is a mental competency hearing on June 16.

Defendants Castelblanco-Robles and Rios-Cuadros were released on their own recognizance subject to electronic monitoring over the prosecution’s objection. Rodriguez Pulido is being held on $75,000 bail. Rios-Cuadros is being held on $170,000 bail on other matters.

If convicted as charged, each defendant faces six years in state prison.

On April 26, at approximately 7:00 p.m., neighbors allegedly observed Rios-Cuadros and Castelblanco-Robles breaking into a Burbank home and called police. The pair are accused of fleeing on foot when police arrived. With the assistance of a heat-detection device aboard a police helicopter, they were located hiding nearby and taken into custody.

Rodriguez-Pulido was apprehended by police while driving the suspected getaway vehicle. Inside the vehicle, police recovered wallets, high-end handbags, watches and jewelry believed to be stolen from other victims.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Martin Bean of the Pasadena Branch Office and remains under investigation by the Burbank Police Department.

Photos presented at the news conference are available here.

The charges in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source & photos: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office