Courts. (Credit: LevittownNow.com)
A New York man has been sentenced to state prison for his role in a multi-county burglary ring that targeted the homes in Abington and Horsham Townships, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators said the group specifically targeted Asian-American homeowners, many of whom owned local restaurants, salons, and markets. The suspects believed these families kept cash and valuables in their homes, authorities said, according to the report.
Randall Jeremy Aldana-Cruz, 20, of Flushing, N.Y., pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to corrupt organizations, burglary, and attempted burglary for his involvement in a South American theft ring responsible for a string of break-ins between July and December 2024.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman sentenced Aldana-Cruz to 4 to 10 years in state prison as part of a plea deal.
Prosecutors said the theft ring, which included 11 men from Queens, N.Y., carried out 13 burglaries and three attempted burglaries across several Pennsylvania counties, including Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Berks, and Lehigh. In Montgomery County, homes in Abington, Horsham, Lower Merion, and Towamencin were among those hit.
The burglars used sophisticated methods, such as hidden wireless cameras disguised as landscaping or household items to monitor when families left their homes. In some cases, members of the theft ring would visit the victims’ businesses to confirm they were away before breaking in.
Detectives from Abington Township Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau helped lead the investigation, which uncovered extensive planning, surveillance, and coordination among members of the group.
Aldana-Cruz is one of six men now sentenced in the case; others are awaiting trial. The defendants have been ordered to collectively pay more than $300,000 in restitution for stolen jewelry, cash, designer handbags, and other property.
Authorities said the group’s activities extended beyond Pennsylvania, with similar burglaries reported in New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Ohio.
Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Eileen Glenning, who prosecuted the case, said the crimes were “highly organized” and “exploited the vulnerabilities of hardworking homeowners.”
