7 Indicted in 9-County Burglary Ring

Seven people accused of targeting affluent homes in nine northern Ohio counties have been indicted in what authorities are calling a burglary ring.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty says the alleged burglars used Google Earth and GPS technology to plan their heist and identify high-end homes in more than 20 communities.

The indictment charges that the group targeted homes between November 2012 and May, with the total value of stolen goods topping $221,000.

McGinty said Monday the indictment covers 39 burglaries in Cuyahoga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wood counties. The group faces charges that include racketeering.

Assistant County Prosecutor James Gutierrez says the group was organized, skilled and knew how to hit places.

This is first major case the county’s Organized Crime Task Force has investigated.