Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Michigan Attorney General on Monday, announced a Chilean national was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison for his part in 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.

According to a release, 29-year-old Ignacio Antonio Ruiz-Saldias was sentenced on one count of operating a criminal enterprise and given another 4-15 years on each of four counts of conspiracy to commit home invasion – second degree.

A jury convicted Ruiz-Saldias in April.

“I am proud of the teamwork and the effort that brought this case to a close with a conviction,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “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 Dana Nessel’s office for their successful court work. I also commend Judge Rowe for leveling an appropriate sentence.”

“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,” AG Dana Nessel said.

“I applaud their dedication throughout this case and remain committed to working with our partners to protect Michigan residents, ensuring those who commit such brazen crimes are brought to justice.”

Ruiz-Saldias is the first defendant tried in Oakland County as being part of a South American theft group that had targeted eight homes in affluent neighborhoods in Oakland Township and Rochester Hills as well as Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Grosse Pointe and Ada Township in suburban Grand Rapids.

The thefts occurred from Feb. 3, 2023, to Feb. 17, 2023. Ruiz-Saldias and four other defendants were arrested in March 2023, in Carmel, Ind. through cooperation between law enforcement in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

Two defendants are in custody in Ohio awaiting extradition to Oakland County to face charges here.