Woman in home break-in cases going to trial
CRANBERRY TWP — A woman from Colombia who law enforcement allege took part in home break-ins in three counties waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday before Magistrate Judge David Kovach.
Luisa Fernanda Rico Maldonado, 31, faces trial in Butler County on six counts of burglary, a first-degree felony; seven counts of criminal trespass, a second-degree felony; and one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary, participation in racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, all first-degree felonies. Charging documents indicate she went by Luisa Rico when not using a pseudonym.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General claims Rico was part of a “worldwide ring of criminals,” comprised mostly of “Colombian nationals with false identities.”
Rico was charged in September after the attorney general and Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department claim she took part in burglaries in Seven Fields; Bridgeville, Fox Chapel, Gibsonia and McDonald in Allegheny County; and Murrysville in Westmoreland County. She was arrested in New York and returned to Butler County earlier this month.
According to Special Agent Timothy Nutter and ECSFRPD Chief Joe McCombs' affidavit, the break-ins targeted homes of persons of Indian origin in an attempt to steal gold and other valuables.
The affidavit states Rico and an “organized group of burglars” stole more than $200,000 in valuables during their alleged robberies and caused at least $4,000 in property damages. In Seven Fields, the group was unsuccessful, according to the affidavit, but witnesses identified the alleged perpetrator as Rico, matching what they had seen to surveillance videos from other burglaries.
Authorities report the investigation revealed Rico used a pseudonym to rent a vehicle seen in surveillance videos at the targeted homes and to stay in a hotel room near the alleged thefts. Investigators further allege Rico served as a lookout by approaching the front door of houses while two men, whom police have not identified, tried to force entry through the rear.
The joint-investigation involved five police departments, Immigrations and Customs Enforcements' Homeland Security Investigations and the attorney general's Organized Crime Section.
Rico will be formally arraigned before Judge Timothy McCune on Dec. 17. She remains in Butler County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
