Leonardo Martinez, Doris Ramirez charged over alleged involvement in Colombian crime syndicate

Two accused members of a South American syndicate allegedly distracted older Sydneysiders in order to steal from them and send the proceeds overseas.

Police executed a search warrant on Mimosa Rd, Greenacre. Picture: Google

A Colombian crime syndicate has allegedly duped elderly Australians out of an estimated $700,000 worth of jewellery and cash since July, with thefts said to have occurred in several parts of Sydney.

Two people accused of involvement in the illegal enterprise are now behind bars on remand, after police alleged they “distracted older members of the public by dropping money in front of them before stealing cash and high-value items” that were then sent overseas.

Martinez Leonardo and Doris Elena Ramirez, both 47, did not apply for bail in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

The Colombian nationals were arrested at a restaurant in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday and each charged with larceny to the value of more than $15,000, stealing from the person to the value of more than $5000, and participating in a criminal group.

Their arrests followed an investigation that began in July 2024, when police formed a strike force to investigate the alleged theft of roughly $400,000 worth of jewellery from a business in Blacktown.

“As part of investigations police identified that the theft was linked to a Colombian crime syndicate that was allegedly involved in multiple thefts in the Burwood, Auburn, Campsie and St George areas,” NSW Police said in a statement on Wednesday.

“These alleged thefts targeted elderly members of the public with an estimated $700,000 worth of jewellery and cash being allegedly stolen from older Australians between July and October 2024.”

Police will allege items stolen from elderly people were then sent to Spain and Colombia.

During a search of a property on Mimosa Rd in Greenacre on Tuesday, police claim to have uncovered and seized diamonds that were hidden throughout the home, along with jewellery, cash and designer clothing.

On Wednesday, a Legal Aid solicitor requested the matters be adjourned to October 30 at Blacktown Local Court, and requested that a Spanish interpreter be made available on the next occasion.