The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has arrested seven people in what it says has been a series of targeted burglaries. 

The Sheriff’s Office said the burglaries were targeting the homes of seasonal visitors to Arizona City and those of people listed in the obituaries.

Deputies said the arrests followed several months of investigation, but that the case broke open in mid-November when several people arrived at a home they had under surveillance.

Officials said a man had died at the home and his vehicle was missing. Deputies said they learned two people planned to return to the residence to take two other vehicles and other items.

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is continuing. Sheriff Paul Babeu said the perpetrators apparently believed the victims of the crimes would be easy targets.