4 accused of stealing $4 million in valuables from 43 homes, including in Massachusetts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Four Rhode Islanders were arrested Thursday morning for allegedly burglarizing homes in 25 Massachusetts cities and towns over the past six years.

Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office say the four suspects are part of an organized burglary ring with ties to a “violent Providence-based gang.”

Steven Berdugo, 28, of Providence; Jovan Lemon, 29, of Providence; Paul Lemon, 30, of Warwick; and Paul Miller, 46 of Woonsocket were indicted last week on 95 counts of burglary and breaking-and-entering charges, according to District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Investigators believe the suspects stole more than $4 million worth of valuables from 43 homes between July 2018 and March 2024. The district attorney’s office said the group targeted people of Indian or South Asian heritage, presumably based on the belief that those homes were more likely to contain jewelry, precious metals and other valuable heirlooms.

Ryan said the crimes were well-planned and “very sophisticated.” The suspects would allegedly research their victims to figure out exactly the right time to strike.

“They were disciplined in concealing their identity, avoiding alarms and minimizing cell phone use before, during and after the breaks and using Wi-Fi jammers,” Ryan added.

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During the arrests on Thursday, police said they recovered vast quantities of jewelry, gems and cash that were consistent with what was stolen. Investigators also seized firearms, GPS trackers and a ladder, which police believe was used to enter the homes on the second floor.

The victims have been notified and police are now working to return their valuables.

“The theft crew we arrested today stole countless items of great monetary, emotional, and cultural value from families in multiple states, and did so by violating the sanctity of their homes. Such brazen criminal actions will not be tolerated in our communities,” Mass. State Police Lt. Col. Mark Cyr said.

The break-ins happened in the following communities: Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Easton, Hopkinton, Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Andover, Bellingham, Boxford, Franklin, Hudson, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Wenham, and Westwood.

Massachusetts State Police said they worked alongside Rhode Island State Police, Connecticut State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service and dozens of local police departments on this “painstaking,” monthslong investigation.

The suspects waived rendition and were taken back to Massachusetts, where they’ll remain in custody until their arraignments next week.

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