Gold Diggers: Burglary Ring Targeting Indian American Homes in Massachusetts Busted
Four Rhode Island men accused of running a sophisticated burglary crew that targeted Indian American and South Asian American households over a six-year span have been ordered held without bail. The suspects allegedly carried out at least 43 burglaries across 25 communities in Massachusetts, stealing millions in jewels and cash.
On Monday, a Middlesex Superior Court judge ordered brothers Jovan Lemon, 29, of Providence, and Paul Lemon, 30, of Warwick, along with their father Paul Miller, 46, of Woonsocket and associate Steven Berdugo, 28, of Providence to be held pending a hearing to determine whether they’re a danger to the public. The date for that hearing has not yet been set due to scheduling conflicts with lawyers.
The four suspects were arrested last Friday in Rhode Island, following a nine-month multi-agency investigation involving federal, state and local law enforcement from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Authorities accuse the group of breaking into homes in affluent towns like Weston, Andover, Sudbury and others between July 2018 and March 2024.
According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, the “sophisticated” crew rarely left evidence and may have used technology to temporarily disable home security cameras. They also avoided using cell phones during and after crimes to prevent being tracked.
“This was really a case of persistent, dogged work,” Ryan stated, alleging the group possessed lists of Hindu temples that could indicate when homes would be unoccupied for holidays and events, though how they obtained such lists remains unknown.
The four men have ties to a violent Rhode Island gang, officials said. Their alleged burglary spree appears to have specifically targeted wealthy Indian American and South Asian American families across the region. Prosecutors are seeking to keep all four suspects detained as potential threats.
(Top photo, Middlesex DA’s Office)