Advisory
Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre arrested on Wednesday and is being held in connection with recent Sun City burglaries.
Sheriff's Office investigators interviewed Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre at the Bluffton Police Department, where he admitted involvement in the recent Sun City burglaries. As a result of the recovered stolen property and Ortiz-Aguirre's admissions, he was charged with two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree and one count of Petit Larceny for incidents that occurred on Murray Hill Drive on May 7, 2019 and on Astral Lane on May 1, 2019. It is suspected that Ortiz-Aguirre was involved in other recent Sun City burglaries and, as those investigations progress, he may face additional charges.
Bond Information
Following his interview, Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated. At a hearing on Thursday morning, a Beaufort County magistrate set Ortiz-Aguirre's bonds at $32,357 for the two burglary charges and the larceny. In addition, a hold was put on Ortiz-Aguirre by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As of today, Ortiz-Aguirre remains incarcerated at the Detention Center.
Additional Information
It is not known whether the burglaries in Sun City occurring over the past few weeks are related to the burglaries that occurred in February-March, 2019 in which subject's made entry through Sun City residents' garage doors. Although differences in the subjects' modus operandi or M.O. in the two sets of incidents were noted by investigators, the possibility is being investigated. Items of evidence collected during the earlier and the more recent burglaries are being examined at the Sheriff's Office Forensic Services Laboratory, where analyses may offer insight into a connection.
We appreciate the assistance of the Sun City security officers and the Bluffton Police Department in Wednesday's apprehension of Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre. And as always, thank you for your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.
Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre arrested on Wednesday and is being held in connection with recent Sun City burglaries. 
Case History
Over the past few weeks, Sheriff's Office investigators developed a person of interest, 25-year-old Francisco Saul Ortiz Aguirre of Bluffton, in several recent burglaries to Sun City homes. Stolen during the daytime burglaries was a variety of property: personal checks, cash, jewelry, etc. Information that was developed in the investigation, to include Ortiz-Aguirre's photograph and the description of his vehicle, was shared with Sun City security officers in the event he returned to Sun City.
Traffic Stop and Arrest of Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre
Wednesday morning, Sun City security officers observed Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre driving his vehicle inside the property and followed him. As they were following him, security officers notified Sheriff's Office investigators who, in turn, requested nearby Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and Bluffton police officers to monitor Sun City's exit points for Ortiz-Aguirre.
A short time later, Bluffton police officers covering Sun City's Highway 170 exit, observed Ortiz-Aguirre's vehicle exiting the property and conducted a traffic stop. Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and investigators responded to the the traffic stop and recovered property from inside of Ortiz-Aguirre's vehicle believed stolen from at least one of the burglarized Sun City residences. Ortiz-Aguirre was taken into custody and transported to the Bluffton Police Department.
A short time later, Bluffton police officers covering Sun City's Highway 170 exit, observed Ortiz-Aguirre's vehicle exiting the property and conducted a traffic stop. Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and investigators responded to the the traffic stop and recovered property from inside of Ortiz-Aguirre's vehicle believed stolen from at least one of the burglarized Sun City residences. Ortiz-Aguirre was taken into custody and transported to the Bluffton Police Department.
Interview of Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre
Sheriff's Office investigators interviewed Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre at the Bluffton Police Department, where he admitted involvement in the recent Sun City burglaries. As a result of the recovered stolen property and Ortiz-Aguirre's admissions, he was charged with two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree and one count of Petit Larceny for incidents that occurred on Murray Hill Drive on May 7, 2019 and on Astral Lane on May 1, 2019. It is suspected that Ortiz-Aguirre was involved in other recent Sun City burglaries and, as those investigations progress, he may face additional charges.
Bond Information
Following his interview, Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated. At a hearing on Thursday morning, a Beaufort County magistrate set Ortiz-Aguirre's bonds at $32,357 for the two burglary charges and the larceny. In addition, a hold was put on Ortiz-Aguirre by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As of today, Ortiz-Aguirre remains incarcerated at the Detention Center.
Additional Information
It is not known whether the burglaries in Sun City occurring over the past few weeks are related to the burglaries that occurred in February-March, 2019 in which subject's made entry through Sun City residents' garage doors. Although differences in the subjects' modus operandi or M.O. in the two sets of incidents were noted by investigators, the possibility is being investigated. Items of evidence collected during the earlier and the more recent burglaries are being examined at the Sheriff's Office Forensic Services Laboratory, where analyses may offer insight into a connection.
We appreciate the assistance of the Sun City security officers and the Bluffton Police Department in Wednesday's apprehension of Francisco Saul Ortiz-Aguirre. And as always, thank you for your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.
Address/Location
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
2001 Duke St
Beaufort, SC 29902
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 843-255-3200
