Man With Ties To South American Theft Group Charged In 2023 Home Burglary: Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — A man who police say has ties to a South American theft group that operated across multiple states was charged in connection with a 2023 home burglary that occurred in Darien.

Hotstyn Barrera-Perico, 27, was extradited to Connecticut from the Wyoming Correctional Facility in Attica, N.Y., where he was serving time on unrelated charges.

In Darien, Barrera-Perico was charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree larceny, according to his arrest report. Barrera-Perico is also facing charges in Greenwich related to a home burglary that took place on Jan. 6, 2023, police said.

On Jan. 28, 2023, at approximately 6:22 p.m., Darien police officers responded to a burglar alarm at a home on Maple Street.

Upon arrival, officers met with the homeowner, who reported a broken first-floor window and the theft of a safe that contained a large amount of cash, police said.

Surveillance footage from the home showed two suspects entering the property prior to the alarm activation, according to police.

"Further investigation revealed connections to a multi-state burglary ring involving suspects associated with the South American Theft Group," police said. "Collaborative efforts with the Nassau County Police Department and Stamford Police Department identified one of the three suspects as Hotstyn Barrera-Perico, who was observed on surveillance footage in Darien and other locations."

Barrera-Perico was later arrested by authorities in Nassau County on Long Island, N.Y.

An arrest warrant out of Darien for Barrera-Perico came with a $250,000 court-set bond, which he was unable to post, police said. His next scheduled court date is Aug. 19.