Residential Burglary Crime Ring Busted in Goleta After Coordinated Investigation

A swift and coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies led to the takedown of a sophisticated residential burglary ring operating in the Santa Barbara area last week.

On the morning of April 4, 2025, detectives from the Santa Barbara Police Department were tipped off by an Orange County law enforcement agency about a suspected burglary crew working in the region. The suspects had reportedly been targeting homes in and around Santa Barbara, using deceptive tactics to carry out their crimes.

What set this group apart was their unusual method of operation. According to authorities, the suspects disguised themselves as food delivery drivers—complete with fast-food bags—to approach residential properties. One suspect would knock on the front door, posing as a delivery person. If no one answered, it was a signal: two additional suspects would then make their way to the back of the property and forcibly enter the home.

The group relied on multiple vehicles to evade detection, rotating cars and staging them nearby for quick getaways. But this time, law enforcement was ready.

Working in conjunction with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, detectives tracked three of the suspect vehicles to the 6100 block of Barrington Drive in Goleta. After observing what appeared to be a coordinated attempted burglary in progress, officers moved in and detained five individuals.

The suspects were arrested without incident and later booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail, each held on $250,000 bail. They were identified as:

• Dilan Gonzalez-Medina, 20, of Los Angeles – conspiracy, attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, and driving without a license.

• Edwin Ospina-Leon, 26, of Los Angeles – conspiracy, attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, false ID, and several outstanding warrants for burglary and evading.

• Jessica Ardila-Zambrano, 32, of Southgate – conspiracy, attempted burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and a warrant for grand theft.

• Wendy Baelana-Hernandez, 33, of Gardena – conspiracy, attempted burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

• Cesar Reyes-Hernandez, 35, of Van Nuys – conspiracy, attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, and driving without a license.

Thanks to the timely communication and collaboration between agencies, no homes were successfully burglarized during this incident. It’s a reassuring outcome for residents of the greater Santa Barbara and Goleta areas, and a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in protecting residential properties.

Source: edhat