OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The state of Michigan just took a bite out of organized crime with arrests in two crime ring operations.
Attorney General Dana Nessel announced six arrests on Monday, Dec. 11.
Three Chilean nationals are in custody facing charges in connection with a string of burglaries at high-end homes in several towns including Bloomfield Township, Rochester Hills and Grosse Pointe Farms. Nessel said the stolen goods added up to items worth millions and millions of dollars.
Authorities announced 19-year-old Jeremy Martinez, 29-year-old Ignacio Ruiz-Saldias and 36-year-old Tamara Ruiz-Saldias have all been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and eight counts of second-degree home invasion.
The three are currently in custody in Hamilton County, Indiana, on separate home invasion-related charges. They have been in custody since February this year, so these three are not responsible for the most recent burglaries in Metro Detroit.
As such, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is reminding residents to remain alert, as there are several other coordinated crews operating in the area.
Videos: Organized crews smash glass, use jammers to break into high-end Metro Detroit homes
Separate retail theft ring
Nessel also announced three other arrests in an organized retail theft ring where thieves go into stores, grab a bunch of expensive merchandise and run away. They reportedly targeted Lululemon and Ulta Beauty stores across the state.
They are allegedly responsible for the theft of tens of thousands of dollars worth of leggings and jackets. The ring believed to be responsible has been busted, authorities said.
Loreece Cross, 34, has been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, second-degree retail fraud and four counts of first-degree retail fraud. Cardiae Davis, 20, and Samira Smith, 20, were both charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and seven counts of organized retail fraud.
The three are believed to be responsible for 30 thefts between December 2022 and November 2023. Authorities said they entered stores, grabbed as much merchandise as they could and fled in an awaiting getaway vehicle.
The Attorney General said the total losses to retailers exceed $200,000, with one theft alone netting more than $19,000 in merchandise.
“We applaud the charging of three suspects accused in high-end break-ins at homes in our county, but we want to be clear that these suspects have been in custody for months,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “These suspects – while connected to the same transnational network that has committed countless burglaries across the country – are not the criminals responsible for the rash of break-ins in Southeast Michigan that have risen dramatically since September. These are completely different teams who continue to traumatize residents in our area, and I urge residents to remain vigilant.”
