Residents of Oakland County, Michigan, have been urged to remain vigilant following a series of home burglaries attributed to organized transnational gangs, specifically the South American Theft Group (SATG). According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, eight break-ins were reported in the past week, targeting high-end homes in affluent communities such as Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, and Novi.
“These gangs operate with precision,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “They come into an area, strike hard, and then move on. We’ve seen an uptick in these crimes as we approach the holiday season, which is consistent with last year’s patterns.”
The South American Theft Group, which includes individuals from Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela, is known for its sophisticated tactics. According to authorities, these groups specialize in stealing cash, high-end purses, and jewelry. Sheriff Bouchard noted that Chilean burglars, in particular, often exploit the U.S. Visa Waiver Program to enter the country legally before executing their crimes.
“These individuals are highly trained,” Bouchard explained. “They study the patterns of life of their victims, identify when they’re not home, and use advanced techniques like wireless system jamming to avoid detection. They operate almost like a special ops team.”
The recent burglaries follow a series of similar incidents reported last year, during which 30 to 40 homes were targeted across the region. Law enforcement agencies have previously arrested and charged several members of these groups, but intelligence suggests that over 100 teams from Chile alone are conducting similar crimes across the United States.
While the South American Theft Group’s Chilean members rely on the Visa Waiver Program, their counterparts from Colombia and Venezuela are believed to enter the country illegally through the southern border. Sheriff Bouchard has called for reforms to the Visa Waiver Program, which he argues is being abused by these criminal networks.
“Every group we’ve arrested and charged in Oakland County has exploited this program,” Bouchard said. “That’s a glaring issue that needs to be addressed.”
Bouchard emphasized the importance of community vigilance in combating these crimes. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or unfamiliar vehicles in their neighborhoods to law enforcement.
“We’d rather investigate 100 false alarms than miss one real deal,” Bouchard stated.
The sheriff also highlighted the challenges of apprehending these criminals due to their transient nature. Members of the South American Theft Group frequently move between states, leaving little opportunity for law enforcement to establish informant networks or identify patterns.
“They’re constantly on the move,” Bouchard said. “There’s no connection to the community, which makes it difficult to track them. This is why we rely heavily on residents to act as our eyes and ears.”
In one recent incident in Oakland Township, burglars entered a secluded high-end home through a dark backyard and made off with a substantial amount of jewelry. Authorities believe the method matches that of the South American Theft Group. These crews have been known to target homes in isolated areas and carefully plan their break-ins based on their victims’ schedules.
Law enforcement is collaborating with local and federal agencies to address the threat posed by these transnational gangs. While authorities continue their efforts, they stress the need for community cooperation to deter further crimes.
Michigan = Green
Chile = Orange
Columbia = Red
Venezuela = Brown
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