NOVI (WWJ) — There will be an increased police presence in Novi after a recent string of high-end home burglaries in the city that authorities believe South American gangs are behind.
In the fall of 2023 Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard began warning of groups of foreign thieves that had targeted upwards of 30-40 homes across the county. Late last month Bouchard said a group with a “similar M.O.” had been targeting homes in Oakland Township again.
Now, Novi police officials say four burglaries between Oct. 31 and Nov. 15 are likely tied to South American gangs, as they see many similarities to the previous incidents.
Two main similarities, according to police, are the suspects conduct surveillance on expensive homes and approach them from the wooded or open areas the property backs up to, allowing them to be unseen.
Authorities say the suspects work in groups of 3-5 people and use a device to jam the wifi signals to disrupt the security system, then they break in while the homeowners are gone.
The thieves tend to steal smaller items like jewelry, credit cards and cash, wallets, purses and designer clothes.
Authorities are telling the public they should not confront the suspects if they come across them because they are dangerous.
Officials say the Novi break-ins happened at a home near 8 Mile and Beck on Halloween, near 8 Mile and Garfield on Nov. 2, and two homes on Nov. 15, near 8 Mile and Garfield and Haggerty and 8 Mile, according to Fox 2.
Anyone who knows something about the break-ins is asked to call Novi police at 248-348-7100.