A Colombian national appeared in federal court following his arrest for alleged involvement in a burglary ring that targeted Asian business owners in Oregon and Washington. Derinson Martinez-Grandas, 34, is among seven individuals charged with conspiracy to transmit stolen property.
Court documents indicate that, starting in early October 2025, Martinez-Grandas and six others traveled across state lines to burglarize homes. The group stayed in short-term rentals secured by Martinez-Grandas, identified and surveilled potential victims—specifically Asian business owners—and conducted reconnaissance on their residences.
The complaint states the suspects used signal jamming devices, perimeter countersurveillance, and coordinated group calls during the burglaries. They reportedly broke into homes by shattering glass doors and stole currency, jewelry, designer goods, travel documents, and other valuables. After each incident, the group returned to their rental properties to package stolen items for transport or transfer.
According to investigators, the first burglary occurred in Auburn, Washington on October 3. Two additional burglaries took place in Eugene and Salem, Oregon on October 6 and October 9 respectively. All targeted homes belonged to Asian business owners who were at work during the incidents.
Detectives from the Eugene Police Department began surveillance of the suspects between the second and third burglaries. After the Salem incident, police observed Martinez-Grandas and his associates return to their rental home in Eugene. A search warrant was obtained that night.
During execution of the warrant, authorities recovered money and property believed stolen from several residences as well as digital devices allegedly used by the crew. Investigators also found evidence of money wires sent to Bogota, Colombia along with Colombian travel documents. As officers arrived to execute the warrant, all seven suspects fled into nearby woods but were detained after several hours.
Subsequent searches of electronic devices revealed messages about surveillance activities and details related to planning past burglaries.
“This multi-state operation deliberately targeted hardworking families and struck at the very core of personal safety – the victims’ own homes – instilling fear throughout multiple communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
“This robbery crew instilled fear and directed violence toward the hard-working small business owners who make this community special and unique,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “Working with our partners at Eugene Police Department, we were able to disrupt their acts and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“The District Attorney’s Office is solely interested in seeing these individuals held to account for the victimization of our community members,” said Lane County District Attorney Christopher J. Parosa. “We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in helping local law enforcement achieve that end.”
Martinez-Grandas appeared before a U.S Magistrate Judge today and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
Another co-conspirator, William Estiven Rodriguez-Gaviria, 26, made his initial appearance before a U.S Magistrate Judge in Arizona where he was also ordered detained until further hearings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Eugene Police Department are leading this investigation with support from police departments in Salem and Auburn. The case is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren from the U.S Attorney’s Office for Oregon alongside Lane County prosecutors.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
