Tigard, OR. – Official Release: There are significant updates to share in an ongoing multi-jurisdictional burglary investigation that has been tied to 39 known cases so far.
In November 2024, the Tigard Police Department shared a joint news release on a string of home burglaries that appeared to be connected. That release is available here: https://www.tigard-or.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/4963/638677866367430000.
Since November, the scope of the investigation continued to grow as detectives worked to identify suspect(s) and tied additional burglaries to the ever-growing list of related cases. As it stands today, investigators are aware of at least 39 home burglaries in Oregon that are linked to the same group of suspects.
On Sunday, February 2nd, simultaneous search warrants were executed in Oregon City, Bend and Portland related to this investigation:
- In Oregon City, the Tigard Police Department, in partnership with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and many other agencies, served the warrant at an apartment complex in the 14100 block of South Beavercreek Road. Cash and other evidence linked to the investigation was recovered, and one car was seized.
- In Bend, Bend Police and the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team executed a warrant at a home in the 55000 block of Gross Drive where suspects related to the investigation were staying. One car was seized, and other evidence was recovered. Four suspects were arrested on felony charges linked to Tigard Police cases. Investigators believe they are all Colombian nationals, who were living at various places throughout the metro area. They were extradited back to Washington County and have been identified as:
- Herbert Grueso-Vergara, DOB 6/11/1994
- Maria Castro-Gamboa, DOB 3/14/1998
- Fabio Vergara-Cortes, DOB 7/22/1995
- Fatima Gomez-Aragon, DOB 4/19/1991
- In Portland, two cars were seized in the 9400 block of North Bristol Avenue related to the investigation.
On Wednesday, February 5th, the Tigard Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau and PPB’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), executed an additional search warrant at an apartment complex in the 9400 block of North Bristol Avenue. Stolen jewelry and other evidence linked to the investigation was recovered at this location.
We’d like to thank several agencies throughout Oregon and Washington for their assistance, either in information sharing or helping execute these warrants on the ground, including the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon City Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Beaverton Police, Hillsboro Police, Gresham Police, Eugene Police, Portland Police Bureau, Lynnwood (WA) Police and the Snohomish County (WA) Sheriff’s Office.
As the investigation continues, it is likely that additional charges will be filed, and additional arrests could be made.
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