CRIME

Suspects booked after alleged vehicle theft crime spree from California to Utah

Aug 22, 2022, 7:05 PM | Updated: 7:06 pm

[FILE] Jail Handcuffs (KSL-TV)...

[FILE] Jail Handcuffs (KSL-TV)

(KSL-TV)

AMERICAN FORK, Utah — Three suspects are in police custody after breaking into a car in American Fork and claiming they work for a crime organization in Chile.

According to court documents, Ricardo Antonio Riffo, 52, Rayza Lee Gonzalez Cerda, 30, and Luis Felipe Cerda de la Puente, 31, from Chile, were pulled over by police after a vehicle burglary call in American Fork at approximately 12:20 p.m. Sunday.

The complaintant called American Fork police reporting that their car window was broken by a man who left in a dark-colored Toyota Carolla with a woman.

While responding to the scene, officers found the Carolla and initiated a traffic stop, but the Carolla didn’t pull over for several blocks, according to the documents.

After the driver pulled over, Riffo exited the vehicle, while covered in blood, and was placed into police custody. The other two suspects were reaching around the car and were also placed into custody.

Officers said they smelled marijuana inside the car and began to search the vehicle.

According to the documents, officers found “Plane tickets, financial transaction cards, and documents containing many different names inside the vehicle. The names did not match any of the occupants.”

The officers also found identification cards for each suspect and a transaction card from Puerto Rico with Puente’s face but a different name.

Officers also found a notebook listing all the items the group stole from vehicles and a backpack with burglary tools. According to arresting documents, the three suspects were taken to the police department for interviews.

Cerda told police that she met with Puente in California to help break into cars and steal valuable items. She stated that Puente used the fake Puerto Rico card to rent their car from California for a week.

“[Cerda] stated they began breaking into vehicles traveling through Nevada into Utah,” the documents state. “They stopped in St. George, Utah, and broke into several vehicles before traveling to Provo to stay in a hotel.”

Puente told police they are all from Chille, and they are with an organization that commits crimes in different countries. He confirmed what Cerda told police and added they stole items from vehicles in California.

Riffo told police that he told the other two suspects not to talk to police if they were ever arrested, according to documents.

He confirmed what Puente and Cerda told police, adding that the criminal organization put him in charge of keeping track of stolen items, and he used the notebook to do so.

During the American Fork burglary, Riffo stated he was in the victim’s vehicle when the doors locked him inside the car, causing him to panic and breaking the front passenger window from the inside to escape. The documents state that Riffo cut himself while escaping causing the bleeding.

Officers contacted the possible owners of the stolen items, including a Cedar City woman who confirmed that her car was broken into Saturday and had her wallet stolen.

Riffo, Cerda, and Puente were booked into the Utah County Jail for:

  • burglary of a vehicle,
  • possessing burglary tools.
  • a pattern of unlawful activity,
  • and illegal acquisition of a financial card.

Puente has an additional charge of forgery.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Moments before a Salt Lake City woman is hit by a white car in the Avenues....

Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio, Garna Mejia and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Doorbell camera captures another hit-and-run in Salt Lake City

New doorbell camera shows bystanders rushing to save a woman who may be another victim of an alleged serial hit-and-runner.

9 hours ago

Kia has recalled 427,407 of its Telluride SUVs because they can roll away while in park....

Samantha Delouya, CNN

Kia recalls more than 400,000 Telluride SUVs that can move while in park

All Telluride vehicles made between 2020 and 2023 and certain 2024 models are affected by the recall.

11 hours ago

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing on Oct. 29, 2020...

Larry D. Curtis

Gag order issued for upcoming Chad Daybell murder trial

With jury selection only days away in the murder trial of former Utahn Chad Guy Daybell, the court has issued a gag order concerning the case.

13 hours ago

A previous drug bust where authorities found Fentanyl....

Brianna Chavez

DEA says fentanyl seizure on track to surpass last year’s numbers

A troubling trend for law enforcement as the DEA says more fentanyl is making its way to Utah.

14 hours ago

The rollover crash that caused a suspected robber's car to catch on fire on I-15....

Eliza Pace and Andrew Adams, KSL TV

Car fleeing from carjacking attempt rolls and bursts into flames on I-15

A car rolled and burst into flames on the ramp from 201 to Interstate 15 after fleeing from an attempted robbery, police said.

16 hours ago

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

19 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Suspects booked after alleged vehicle theft crime spree from California to Utah