New York Woman Facing Charges in Franklin Co. Associated with Out-of-State Burglary Ring

Formal charges were filed this week.

Alison Lopez. Photo by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

(Brookville, Ind.) – A New York woman has been arrested in Franklin County and is now facing formal felony charges related to an out-of-state burglary ring, announced by Prosecuting Attorney Chris Huerkamp.

Alison Lopez, 29, of Queens Village, New York, has been charged with Unlawful Use of a Signal Jammer (Level 6 Felony) as result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation that involved both local and out-of-state police.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department was contacted by an Indiana State Police Detective regarding an ongoing investigation involving several Ohio police agencies regarding a series of residential burglaries in the Greater Cincinnati area. 

During the course of the investigation, officers obtained information that was believed to connect suspects to an Airbnb Cabin rental in Franklin County. 

On January 22, four suspects were observed leaving the Airbnb and are alleged to have attempted to commit a residential burglary in West Chester, Ohio. There, local police took three of the four suspects into custody. One managed to flee and was later taken into custody during a traffic stop. That suspect was identified as Lopez. 

A search warrant was obtained to search the Airbnb. There, officers allegedly located multiple items consistent with tools and equipment believed to be associated with burglaries, including an electronic device capable of interfering with Wi-Fi and cellular signals. 

Under recently enacted Indiana Law, a person who knowingly or intentionally possesses, uses or operates a device designed to intentionally block, jam or interfere with licensed or authorized radio communication - including personal communication devices, police radar, GPS and wireless networking services - commits Unlawful Use of a Signal Jammer. 

Lopez was initially lodged at the Franklin County Security Center. She entered a preliminary plea of not guilty on January 27 and remained incarcerated subject to cash bond. She remains held pending transport and extradition to Butler County for a criminal complaint and arrest warrant that were filed on January 23.