29-year-old Ignacio Ruiz-Saldias, a Chilean national, was sentenced for his role in a string of home invasions netting millions in cash, jewelry and other expensive items.
High-end homes across the state were targeted including Grosse Pointe Farms, Rochester, Rochester Hills and Ada Township in Kent County.
Investigators say a group of South American thieves traveling to the U.S. specifically sought affluent neighborhoods.
Members surveilled homes and broke in when vacant, using technology to evade alarms systems and security cameras.
Ruiz-Saldias is sentenced to serve 10-20 years’ incarceration. He was arrested in Indiana and convicted on similar charges.
