BERGEN COUNTY, NJ – Detectives from the Bergen County prosecutor’s office have arrested three Colombian nationals, allegedly responsible for a string of burglaries across nine towns in the area. Santiago Camargo-Rojas, 24, Steven Rugeles, 30, and Nicholas Buitrago-Grillo, 23, have been detained in the Bergen County Jail since their arrests last Tuesday, July 18.
The men are believed to have impersonated delivery personnel during their months-long crime spree, specifically targeting affluent areas in the early evening hours. According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, the culprits would often check that the homes were unoccupied before entering and removing valuable items, such as high-end designer pieces, jewelry, and cash.
Execution of search warrants at two Elizabeth locations yielded an array of stolen items and fraudulent government documents, including driver’s licenses and passports.
Rugeles faces 24 charges, including receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of false government documents. Both Camargo-Rojas and Buitrago-Grillo are charged with similar offenses, along with money laundering and possession of burglary tools. Pending local court proceedings in Hackensack, ICE officials are holding the three men for immigration evaluation in Newark.
The assistance of the FBI and local police departments has been acknowledged by Prosecutor Musella, while Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton has confirmed his cooperation with any potential custody handover to federal authorities following local court proceedings.
