Man arrested for 2022 burglary allegedly targeted other Asian-American homes, police say
Investigators say the suspect checked to see if the owners were home while posing as a pizza delivery man.
ABINGTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police say a man who was arrested for burglarizing a home in Montgomery County last year may have committed similar crimes, allegedly targeting homes based on the race of the family.
Police say 25-year-old Fredy Alexander Beltran-Ortiz was arrested last month for burglarizing a home on Andrew Road in the Huntingdon Valley section of Abington Township on August 9, 2022.
The home belonged to an Asian-American family who owns a Philadelphia business.
Now, investigators are working with multiple jurisdictions in the tri-state area, believing Beltran-Ortiz is connected to other burglaries fitting the same pattern.
This is a trend being seen nationwide, investigators say.
"We're looking at additional burglaries in the Delaware Valley and suburbs of Philadelphia, even stretching into New Jersey and Delaware, where it's obvious the victims are targeted because of their race and that they're Asian business owners," said Lieutenant Steven Fink with Abington Township police.
"We strongly believe because of the stereotype that they have a lot of money and valuables in the home, that they were specifically targeted," Fink added.
According to officials, money, jewelry, electronics, and musical instruments were stolen during the 2022 burglary. The loss was valued at over $10,000.
Investigators say during the incident, Beltran-Ortiz and two others burglarized the home.
Beltran-Ortiz checked to see if the owners were home by posing as a pizza delivery man before the three men forced their way inside.
Officials said the suspect rang the doorbell, which is what ultimately led to his arrest a year later.
"Our detectives went out, and talk about attention to detail, they swabbed that little doorbell that the crook pressed and months later we got a DNA hit on that doorbell," said Fink.
After the DNA hit last month, officials discovered New York authorities had Beltran-Ortiz in custody for a DUI.
Abington police then escorted him back to Pennsylvania, where he faces five felony burglary-related charges.
Beltran-Ortiz is no longer in custody as of Thursday night, as police say he posted the $1,000 bail.
"We're all about police reform and we're aware of injustices in the past and nobody wants someone in jail for a petty crime. In this case, individuals were targeted because of their race, and their safety and security were compromised," said Fink.
