Member Of South American Theft Group Charged In 2023 Greenwich Home Burglary: Police

GREENWICH, CT — A man who police say was part of a South American theft group that operated across the tri-state area was charged in connection with a 2023 home burglary that occurred in Greenwich.

Hotstyn Barrera-Perico, 27, was arrested on a warrant at Stamford Superior Court on June 18 where he was appearing on unrelated charges, the Greenwich Police Department said in an announcement.

Barrera-Perico was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary.

The burglary occurred at a home on Jan. 6, 2023, while the residents were away on vacation, according to police, who did not specify where in town the crime took place.

Entry was made through a rear bathroom window, and over $7,900 in property was stolen, police said.

"Home surveillance footage showed two masked and gloved suspects ransacking the home, with one—later identified as Barrera-Perico—approaching the front door earlier that day carrying a box, a method often used to determine if a residence is occupied," police said.

Surveillance video from a nearby home showed a dark-colored SUV and two suspects, police said.

GPD detectives worked with Stamford, Darien, and Nassau County Police (NY) Departments to identify Barrera-Perico as a suspect and a member of a South American theft group, which was known to use stolen license plates during coordinated burglaries, according to police.

Nassau County investigators used surveillance footage, vehicle tracking data, and physical surveillance to positively identify Barrera-Perico, police noted.

"The Greenwich Police Department thanks our law enforcement partners for their cooperation in identifying and apprehending those responsible for this organized criminal activity," the GPD said.

An arrest warrant for Barrera-Perico was signed on Aug. 10, 2023. The warrant came with a $250,000 bond.