Burglars Shipping Stolen Goods To Costa Rica
October 27th, 2008 | by admin |CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are looking for two men who are breaking into apartments and shipping the items they steal to Costa Rica.
Detectives said they think the men have broken into about 50 apartments, primarily in south Charlotte.
“Anywhere from 4 until 9, 10, 11 at night, which, yeah, was unusual. I guess you’d say they had to be casing the houses because most people are home during those time periods,” said Detective Ole Swinson.
Investigators worked with customs officials to retrieve some of the items that were on the way to Costa Rica. They said flat-screen TVs, jewelry and guns are worth a lot more down there.
One victim who got some of his things back Thursday said his apartment near Johnston Road was broken into last year. He said he hopes the thieves are caught soon.
“So it doesn’t happen to other people. So other people don’t come home to find their apartments or their houses ransacked,” said Alec Zrike.
Police said they are looking for Martin Martinez and Diego Vargas. They said they suspect those men would ship the items through a Costa Rican company in Lincolnton.
Detectives said the company has done nothing wrong and is cooperating with police.
The suspects may be driving a dark-colored 1993 Acura Integra with license plate XXC-3097. The car has a loud muffler, and the men might be changing the emblems to make the car look like a Saab or Honda, police said. Officers are also looking for a blue Nissan Frontier with Tennessee plates and a gold Lexus.
