(WWJ) The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has announced the conviction of a Chilean national linked to several high-end burglaries in the Metro Detroit area and beyond.
According to Sheriff Mike Bouchard, 29-year-old Ignacio Ruiz-Saldias is now the first person convicted in Oakland County linked to a South American theft group accused of breaking into and robbing upscale homes in Southeast Michigan and West Michigan.
The sheriff's office said Ruiz-Saldias targeted eight homes in "exclusive neighborhoods" in Oakland, Wayne and Kent counties two years ago, as part of the group stealing cash, jewelry, and expensive handbags.
The Michigan Attorney Genera's Office said Ruiz-Saldias was convicted of one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Second-Degree Home Invasion, a 15-year felony, for his role in home invasions taking place in February of 2023 in Ada Township, Grosse Pointe Farms, Rochester, and Rochester Hills.
According to the AG's office, the widely publicized and highly orchestrated home invasions Saldias participated in typically occurred when the homes were vacant, utilized techniques to thwart alarm systems, and employed extensive precautions to avoid personal identification on home security camera systems and by forensic analyses of crime scenes.
Losses from similar break-ins in recent years fitting this pattern measure in the millions of dollars, as money, jewelry, other high-value items, and safes have been stolen from affected properties, the AG's office said.
After Ruiz-Saldias and four other defendants were arrested in Indiana in March of 2023, the sheriff's office said — through cooperative between law enforcement in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan — similarities were discovered in home invasions and criminal cases were made against the defendants.
The three other defendants remain jailed in Ohio awaiting extradition to Oakland County to face charges here.
”I am proud of the teamwork and the effort that brought this case to a close with a conviction,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, in a statement. “I hope it sends a clear message to the transnational gangs that there are consequences for criminal behavior in Oakland County. I thank the prosecutors from Attorney General Nessel’s office for their successful court work.”
In Ruiz-Saldias' case, prosecuted by Michigan AG Dana Nestle, sentencing is set for June 16.
The widely publicized and highly orchestrated home invasions Saldias participated in typically occurred when the homes were vacant, utilized techniques to thwart alarm systems, and employed extensive precautions to avoid personal identification on home security camera systems and by forensic analyses of crime scenes. Losses from similar break-ins in recent years fitting this pattern measure in the millions of dollars, as money, jewelry, other high-value items, and safes have been stolen from affected properties.
“These home invasions were not random – they were deliberate, highly organized, and had a significant impact on the families and communities involved,” Nessel said. “I am grateful to the jury, as well as the FORCE Team and task force who made this conviction possible. We will continue to work together to protect Michigan residents and hold accountable any individuals connected to these sophisticated criminal enterprises.”