Organized Chilean Crime Ring Sentenced for Michigan Home Invasions

Organized Chilean Crime hits Michigan as a multi-county burglary ring. A Chilean national receives a 10-to-20-year sentence for multi-county Michigan burglaries targeting wealthy homeowners.

Foreign Crime Ring Exploited Michigan’s Affluent Suburbs with Sophisticated Home Invasions

LANSING — A Chilean national involved in a wave of highly organized home invasions across Michigan has been sentenced to prison, highlighting growing concerns over international burglary rings targeting affluent American communities.

IGNACIO RUIZ-SALDIAS, 29, received a sentence of 10 to 20 years in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County, according to an announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on June 14. Ruiz-Saldias was convicted in April of one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Second-Degree Home Invasion, each a 15-year felony. The verdict stemmed from coordinated burglaries committed in February 2023 across Oakland, Wayne, and Kent counties, including high-end homes in Ada Township, Grosse Pointe Farms, Rochester, and Rochester Hills.

Organized Chilean Crime Uses Sophisticated Tactics to Evade Michigan Law Enforcement

Investigators say Ruiz-Saldias and his accomplices used advanced tactics to disable alarm systems and avoid detection by security cameras. The break-ins were meticulously timed for when homeowners were away. These burglaries fit a larger pattern seen in recent years where organized foreign nationals, often entering the U.S. legally under visa waivers, carry out high-dollar burglaries and flee the country before law enforcement can apprehend them.

Losses tied to this international pattern of burglaries have amounted to millions of dollars, with stolen property often including cash, jewelry, safes, and other valuables that are difficult to trace or recover.

“These were not random burglaries,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “Our FORCE Team worked tirelessly in concert with a multi-jurisdictional task force to investigate and prosecute members of this highly organized criminal operation, which here led to a significant sentence.”

Multi-Agency Michigan Task Force Leads Crackdown on Organized Chilean Crime Ring

The case represents one of Michigan’s most aggressive prosecutions of Organized Chilean Crime in recent years. Ruiz-Saldias was originally charged while being held at Hamilton County Jail in Indiana on unrelated burglary convictions. His Michigan sentencing came after extensive investigation led by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Task Force, supported by Nessel’s specialized FORCE Team.

Several Michigan and Indiana agencies played key roles, including the Bloomfield Hills Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police, Shelbyville (Indiana) Police, Carmel (Indiana) Police, Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety, and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.

Organized Chilean Crime Continues to Threaten Southeast Michigan Communities

Despite this sentencing, law enforcement officials caution that the broader threat from Organized Chilean Crime remains active across Southeast Michigan. Nessel’s office confirmed that similar burglaries, sharing the same hallmarks of sophistication and targeting, are still under investigation statewide.

These crime rings often take advantage of America’s Visa Waiver Program, which allows Chilean nationals to enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days. Once inside the country, loosely affiliated crews form organized burglary cells capable of targeting neighborhoods quickly and leaving before law enforcement can react.

National Security Officials Warn of Broader Organized Chilean Crime Operations Across U.S.

The Michigan case reflects a troubling national pattern. According to a 2022 warning from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South American Theft Groups—many composed of Chilean nationals—have expanded operations across multiple states..

Attorney General Dana Nessel Vows to Continue Aggressive Prosecution

Attorney General Nessel assured Michigan residents that her office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting organized foreign crime syndicates. “We remain committed to working with our partners to protect Michigan residents, ensuring those who commit such brazen crimes are brought to justice,” she said.

Read More Interesting Feature Stories From ThumbWind

• Michigan Feature News Stories – Unveiling the diverse and vibrant people, captivating places, and remarkable events that come together to make the Great Lake State unique.
• Strange Political News – A sarcastic take on official news from around the U.S., exploring the absurdities that often arise in the political landscape while providing a humorous perspective on current events and highlighting the quirks of politicians and policies.
• Michigan Hometown News – News and events from Michigan’s Upper Thumb region worth knowing, including local stories, impactful interviews, and updates on community happenings that shape the culture and lifestyle of the area.

Your Turn – Like This, or Hate it – We Want To Hear From You

Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. We review each response. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your email box, or check us out at ThumbWind News.