OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A 29-year-old man from Chile has been sentenced for his role in a string of burglaries across Metro Detroit.
Ignacio Antonio Ruiz-Saldias was convicted in April of operating a criminal enterprise and three counts of conspiracy to commit home invasion.
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Police believe Ruiz-Saldias is tied to a suspected South American theft group that targeted homes in Oakland Township, Rochester Hills, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe. They are believed to be responsible for the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry, and expensive handbags taken from homes in exclusive neighborhoods in Oakland, Wayne, and Kent counties.
Saldias was involved in well-publicized home invasions that were planned to take place when homes were vacant. They allegedly utilized advanced techniques to bypass alarm systems and evade detection by security cameras and forensic analysis.
The thefts happened in February 2023. Ruiz-Saldias and four others were arrested a month later in Indiana, where Ruiz-Saldias was convicted on similar charges.
On Monday, June 16, Ruiz-Saldias was sentenced to 10-20 years behind bars for his role in the Michigan-based burglaries.
