Authorities arrested four people Friday in connection with raids on more than 40 homes across Massachusetts, authorities announced.

The raids date back to 2018 and targeted families of Indian or South Asian origin, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

In total, Ryan said the group stole jewelry and gems from at least 43 homes in 25 cities and towns spanning parts of Middlesex County, the North Shore, the South Shore and beyond.

Ryan described the alleged robbery ring as “sophisticated” and thanked authorities for their efforts to arrest the alleged robbers. He identified the people arrested as Jovan Lemon, 29; Paul Limón, 30; Steven Berdugo, 28, and Paul Miller, 46.

The individuals, officials said, are believed to have ties to a “violent Providence-based gang known to Rhode Island law enforcement agencies.”

“I want to convey the pleasure we feel in being able to seek justice for the victims of this criminal enterprise,” State Police Lt. Col. Mark Cyr said at a news conference in Boston announcing the arrests.

“Such blatant criminal actions will not be tolerated in our communities,” he later added.

Ryan said investigators began looking into the robbery ring in the summer of 2023 after a series of robberies throughout Middlesex County. As investigators got to work, police departments across the region shared warnings.

“Residential break-ins are rare in Sudbury, but regionally there is an increase that shows similar patterns,” Sudbury police said in a message.

Hudson police reported two robberies in a 48-hour span. In Weston, Police Chief Denis Linehan addressed his community in a video after a series of raids.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said other robberies occurred in Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Easton, Hopkinton, Lincoln, Andover, Bellingham, Boxford, Franklin, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk ,Sharon. Southborough, Wenham and Westwood.

Speaking on Thursday, Ryan said the alleged thieves in this case targeted homes because they believed they would have a large amount of gems, gold jewelry and cash.

Ryan said the group entered the homes through second-story windows using ladders, avoiding cameras and using Wi-Fi jamming technology to evade surveillance systems. The group then left with stolen goods, sometimes throwing large safes containing valuables out of windows.

Ryan said the group largely avoided using their cellphones during their alleged crimes. He said the members also seemed to know where the residents of the houses were, pointing to the houses when the families were away from them.

Among other things, Ryan said the group used GPS trackers and obtained temple membership lists with the names of families belonging to area temple communities.

Ryan said authorities arrested the suspected robbers in Rhode Island on Friday morning. Officers also searched four locations and recovered a large amount of stolen items.

In addition to items with individual values ​​of up to $75,000, Ryan said the stolen items had emotional value and family significance. Ryan said authorities will work to identify the stolen items and return them.

The total estimated value of the stolen property exceeded $4 million, according to the district attorney’s office.

Ryan credited a “coordinated law enforcement effort” that spanned several states to take the suspects in this case into custody. Beyond law enforcement, she and others who spoke Friday thanked members of the targeted communities for their support.

“There are many of us in this room who have been waiting for this day,” said acting Lincoln Police Chief Sean Kennedy. “But no one more than the South Asian community.”

The district attorney’s office said the defendants in this case were charged with a total of 95 counts of unarmed robbery and daytime breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony.

Currently in custody in Rhode Island, Ryan said the individuals will travel to Massachusetts to face a judge at a later date.

The investigation, officials said, is open and ongoing.

This is a developing story; Stay with 7NEWS on air and online for the latest updates.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)