Quick Bytes
- Four Rhode Island men held without bail for a burglary spree targeting Indian American homes in Massachusetts.
- The burglary ring executed at least 43 burglaries, stealing over $4 million in jewels and cash from 2018 to 2024.
- The suspects are linked to a Providence-based gang and face 95 counts of burglary and breaking and entering.
- Investigators noted the burglaries were ethnically targeted, with sophisticated tactics including Wi-Fi jammers.
Summary of the Burglary Ring Case
A group of four men from Rhode Island have been arrested for conducting a series of burglaries specifically targeting Indian American and South Asian American households in Massachusetts. The suspects, identified as Jovan Lemon, Paul Lemon, Steven Berdugo, and Paul Miller, are accused of carrying out 43 burglaries across 25 towns, resulting in the theft of millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry and cash.
The burglaries, which took place over a six-year period, were meticulously planned to coincide with times when the families were not at home. The suspects, who have ties to a violent gang in Providence, employed advanced techniques to avoid detection, such as using Wi-Fi jammers and minimizing cell phone usage during their crimes.
The targeted homes often contained precious metals and valuable heirlooms, with some items valued up to $75,000. In several cases, the burglars removed heavy safes from the residences to access the valuables inside. The total value of the stolen property is reported to exceed $4 million.
The arrests followed a nine-month investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, highlighting the effectiveness of the MACrimeNet program in sharing intelligence and solving complex cases. The suspects now face a total of 95 counts of unarmed burglary and breaking and entering, with the legal process underway to hold them accountable for their actions.
