A $21,000 designer purse, big-screen TVs and guns were among the stolen items investigators found when they broke up an alleged burglary ring that targeted dozens of homes in a Southern California neighborhood, authorities said Thursday.
For months, residents along Madrugada Drive in Chino Hills were burglarized and their property was then sold on eBay, according to the city’s police department.
Donald Ming Hwang, 41, of Chino, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the thefts, Chino Hills police said.
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Investigators searched Hwang’s home and found a “large amount of stolen property,” including a $21,000 Hermes purse, computers, guns, big-screen televisions, watches, and clothes, plus narcotics, authorities said.
The stolen items are valued at more than $100,000, authorities said.
Neighbors said they became suspicious when, for nearly a month, Hwang hosted weekend garage sales. He recently moved to with his 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son to Chino, about 5 miles from the neighborhood that investigators said he targeted.
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Authorities said they received a tip in December from a victim who believed someone was selling their stolen camera lens on eBay. Detectives set up a sting and arrested Hwang, which led to a raid on his home Wednesday.
A family member who did not want to be identified said the Hwang family had no idea anything illegal was happening. Neighbors believed the suspect had a job and worked the graveyard shift.
“He goes out at night and comes home in the morning,” neighbor Edie Charbonier said.
Officials on Thursday called for potential victims to come forward and claim their stolen belongings, and asked for the public’s help finding more burglars connected to the thefts.
Anyone with information in the case is urged to call the Chino Hills Police Department at 909-364-2000. Anonymous tips can be reported to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).
Anyone who thinks they may be a victim can call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
