Great Lakes Wire

Ignacio Ruiz-Saldias, a 29-year-old Chilean national, has been sentenced to 10-20 years in prison by Judge Kwame Rowe of the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. The sentencing follows his conviction for a series of home invasions targeting affluent residences across Oakland, Wayne, and Kent Counties. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the verdict.

Ruiz-Saldias was found guilty in April by an Oakland County jury on one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, which carries a potential 20-year sentence, and three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Second-Degree Home Invasion, each carrying a potential 15-year sentence. These charges relate to incidents that occurred in February 2023 in Ada Township, Grosse Pointe Farms, Rochester, and Rochester Hills.

The home invasions were characterized by their sophisticated planning and execution. They typically took place when the homes were unoccupied and involved methods designed to bypass alarm systems while avoiding detection by security cameras or forensic analysis. Similar crimes have resulted in losses amounting to millions of dollars due to the theft of money, jewelry, high-value items, and safes.

"Our FORCE Team worked tirelessly in concert with a multi-jurisdictional task force to investigate and prosecute members of this highly organized criminal operation," said Nessel. "I applaud their dedication throughout this case and remain committed to working with our partners to protect Michigan residents."

Ruiz-Saldias was charged while already detained at Hamilton County Jail in Indiana for separate home invasion-related offenses.

Investigations into this crime ring are ongoing across Southeast Michigan. The task force responsible for Ruiz-Saldias's conviction included members from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Bloomfield Hills Police Department, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Shelbyville (Indiana) Police Department, Carmel (IN) Police Department, Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety, Kent County Sheriff's Department, and the Attorney General’s FORCE Team.