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Call it equal opportunity larceny.

Police say they’ve captured a burglary ring responsible for at least 60 break-ins in High Point, Greensboro and Thomasville — the fourth large-scale ring to be busted in the city this year.

But police say this ring is different: It was composed almost entirely of women.

“I think the chief said he couldn’t remember a female we’d arrested for burglary,” said Lt. Jeff Blank of the department’s property crime division. “This time it’s eight of them and one man.”

Women sometimes act as lookouts or drivers in burglaries, Blank said, but aren’t often involved in the actual break-ins.

“We’re not sure why it happened that way this time,” Blank said. “From the interviews it looks like they got together a group and when one person wasn’t available they’d just bring in another one of their friends.”

Blank said that many burglars don’t target people they know, but many of this ring’s victims were friends and acquaintances.

They operated for about a year and a half, stealing large flat-screen televisions, DVD players, other high-end electronics and cash, police said.

Police began investigating in August and, after the first few suspects were arrested, the group was linked to dozens of burglaries in the Triad.

“This was one of the big ones,” Blank said. “And you’d have to say it’s not the kind we usually see.”

Charges ranged from breaking and entering to larceny and intimidation of a state witness. Those charged are:

Barbara Williams Ahmad, 44, and Margie Annette Arroyo, 29, both of 305 Sunset Drive, High Point; Crystal Dominguez Artega, 35, of 208 Ashwood Circle, Asheboro; Victoria Gail Driggers, 16, of 107 Doak St., Thomasville; Lori Ann Johnson, 25, and Javier Estrada Soto, 24, both of 503 N. Centennial St., High Point; Billie Sue Mejia, 34, of 622 South Road, High Point; Brittina Vanmetre-Valdez, 20, of 619 Granby Ave., High Point; and Elizabeth LaDawn Williams, 25, of 110 Hodgin St., High Point.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to call Crime Stoppers at
889-4000.

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, ext. 228, or joe.killian@news-record.com