Transnational gangs from South America have plunged Michigan’s upscale homes into a burglary crisis according to law enforcement officials. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has raised a stark alarm regarding a spate of high-end burglaries plaguing residences in the area.
Gangs of illegal immigrants from South America are committing burglaries on upscale homes in Michigan https://t.co/b3zBqAzlmJ
— super czar (@Kristokoff) October 2, 2023
His urgent message to local residents: fortify your homes, as illegal immigrants are conducting brazen home invasions to pilfer high-value items. Among the stolen loot are jewelry, precious metals, high-end timepieces, designer purses, cutting-edge electronics, cash, and even safes, with the collective losses surpassing the $1 million mark.
“These burglars typically strike between 5 and 9 p.m., targeting seemingly unoccupied homes, often entering through rear windows,” Sheriff Bouchard explained. He further noted that they conduct extensive surveillance before committing their crimes, with a usual modus operandi involving two or three individuals, one of whom serves as the getaway driver.
“These criminals are fixated on their targets, oblivious to community boundaries. They disregard national, state, and county jurisdictions,” Bouchard emphasized while underscoring that the suspects all came here illegally from South America.
“These are transnational criminal organizations from South America, seeking to commit burglaries and disrupt our communities, not only in Oakland County but nationwide,” Bouchard stated, describing their operations as highly organized.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement has characterized transnational gangs as entities that instill fear within local neighborhoods, engage in violent criminal activities, and facilitate illegal operations such as drug and firearm trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, and corruption.
Bouchard suspects the culprits originate from countries including Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, and Venezuela. He asserts that these individuals unlawfully enter the U.S. either by crossing the southern border or by exploiting the Visa Waiver Program, before purchasing a fake ID.
The sheriff pointed fingers at the Biden administration for failing to secure the southern U.S. border, highlighting the dire consequences — ranging from the surge of fentanyl to human trafficking, and the looming threat of terrorism and transnational gangs infiltrating communities.
“Border security is of paramount importance for all,” Bouchard declared, insisting that swift action is imperative.
In response to this crisis, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has joined forces with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to apprehend the perpetrators, while Sheriff Bouchard encourages homeowners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
