Colombian woman faces trial on multiple burglary charges
CRANBERRY TWP — A woman who law enforcement says took part in home break-ins in three counties waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday before District Judge David Kovach.
Luisa Fernanda Rico Maldonado, 31, of Colombia, faces trial in Butler County on six counts of burglary, a first-degree felony, seven counts of criminal trespass, a second-degree felony, and one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary, participation in racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, all first-degree felonies.
The state Office of Attorney General claims Rico was part of a “worldwide ring of criminals,” comprised mostly of “Colombian nationals with false identities.”
Rico was charged in September after the attorney general and Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department claim she took part in burglaries in Seven Fields; Bridgeville, Fox Chapel, Gibsonia and McDonald, Allegheny County; and Murrysville, Westmoreland County. She was arrested in New York and returned to Butler County earlier this month.
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