In a collaborative effort between the Glendale Burglary Task Force and the L.A. Impact Burglary Task Force, officers successfully apprehended two transnational burglary suspects, William Guanume, 45, and Bryan Martinez Vargas, 28, both from Colombia. The arrest followed a swift response to a residential burglary in progress on Tuesday afternoon (4/30) in the 4300 block of Boston Ave in Glendale.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers identified the suspect vehicle as a grey Toyota leaving the residence. A pursuit ensued after Glendale Patrol Officers, along with the police helicopter, initiated saturation patrols. The suspects attempted to flee, discarding evidence from their vehicle during the chase. Eventually, the pursuit ended in a crash when the suspect vehicle, driving eastbound on the 134 freeway, attempted to exit at Figueroa Street.
Following the apprehension, an investigation revealed that the discarded items were stolen from the targeted residence. Notably, officers recovered a WiFi signal jammer, still operational, which can be used to disrupt home security systems, allowing intruders to enter undetected.
Guanume and Martinez Vargas are under investigation for their suspected involvement in “Burglary Tourism,” a transnational criminal operation where individuals from South America enter the U.S. under the pretext of tourism to commit burglaries in affluent neighborhoods.
Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid emphasized the department’s commitment to combating burglary crimes and acknowledged the evolving challenges faced by law enforcement. Both suspects have been arrested for burglary, with the driver facing additional charges of felony evading. Glendale Detectives will pursue charges with the L.A. District Attorney’s office in the coming weeks.
The Glendale Police Department extends its gratitude to the community for their continued support and vigilance in preventing and reporting criminal activities.
