A new report claims that South American theft groups could be responsible for a string of recent burglaries in southeastern Wisconsin, prompting an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

In a recent post on Facebook, the Mequon Police Department announced that it hosted a “regional information-sharing meeting” for law enforcement agencies in southeastern Wisconsin earlier this month to discuss a string of similar burglaries in the region.

According to Fox News, the Mequon Police Department’s confirmation that the recent string of burglaries share similar features suggests that the thefts are part of a professional criminal operation. The outlet noted that the burglaries have been carried out by suspects dressed in black clothing, face coverings, and gloves.

The Mequon Police Department explained that the suspects have entered multiple homes by going through wooded backyards and have repeatedly targeted properties located near golf courses or along cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads. Police officials added that suspects have stolen cash, jewelry, designer purses, and watches.

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The Mequon Police Department encouraged local residents to activate their home alarms and to program audible security systems, as audible security systems and security cameras appear to have deterred the burglars in multiple instances. Police officials also warned that the suspects seem to be using trail cameras to monitor when homes are temporarily unoccupied.

According to Fox News, officials suggested during the information-sharing meeting earlier this month that the string of burglary incidents is consistent with the burglaries committed by South American theft groups that operate across the country.

Mequon Police Operations Commander John Hoell told Fox News, “The way the residences were entered, the way the actors were dressed — head to toe in black, just the eyes showing, gloves on and what they targeted inside, jewelry, handbags, cash — it all matches together.”

Hoell told Fox News that the burglaries in Mequon, Wisconsin, are similar to the burglary incident at Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis’ home in River Hills, Wisconsin, in 2023. According to Fox News, the 2023 incident was ultimately linked to a Chilean theft group that was charged with stealing more than $2 million in goods from professional athletes, such as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Addressing the ongoing investigation into the recent burglaries, Hoell told Fox News, “We’re confident we’ll catch them. But it’s going to take time and help from everyone watching.”