Uptick in Chilean gangs burglarizing American communities

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (NewsNation) — A new type of crime wave is hitting the United States. Teams of burglars from South America are using sophisticated techniques to break into high-end homes, stealing millions.

Sheriff Mike Bouchard of Michigan’s Oakland County blames part of the problem on the U.S. government and a specific visa waiver program that makes it easy for some international gangs to enter the country and remain here without much scrutiny.

Crime gangs targeting US communities

Bouchard is among many who are trying to tackle this elusive and sophisticated crime gang targeting American communities.

Groups of highly trained burglars from Chile are stealing cash, jewelry, safes and luxury handbags.

Since late 2023, more than 40 homes have been burglarized in Oakland County, Michigan, alone.

Law enforcement officials say the gangs target affluent communities, including homes of executives and CEOs tied to the big three automakers.

Bouchard told NewsNation that police believe the thieves receive sophisticated training, teaching them professionally orchestrated break-in techniques.

The sheriff confirmed that the groups targeting his communities are coming from Chile, the only South American country that qualifies for the visa waiver program. The program gives these individuals a lower level of scrutiny at the border and allows travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days.

Seeking federal assistance

The number of burglaries has become so overwhelming that Bouchard has had to ask the federal government for help.

“We’re not going to stop it as a local agency or even with, you know, state and federal partners. It’s got to be stopped by national policy,” Bouchard said.

He continued, “They’re aware of the fact that we’re having these crimes all across the country. But at this point, they’ve not shown any inclination to shut that program down or even pause it. They usually issue a standard statement saying they’re aware and they’re working closely with the Chilean government to try to increase information cooperation. That doesn’t help us. Our house is on fire with these burglaries.”

The sheriff told NewsNation that these organized break-ins are happening in at least eight states across the U.S. from New York to California. There’s also evidence that they are not just coming from Chile but also Venezuela and Colombia as well.

A look at how the gangs work

Bouchard estimates about 100 crews are operating throughout the country right now, working in teams of three-to-six people.

Each crew member has a role in carrying out the theft, using tools that jam wifi-operated cameras and alarm systems.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said they are aware of the spike in these types of burglaries nation-wide, saying they are working specifically with Chile to address the problem.

“DHS and our federal partners have actively engaged with all levels of the government of Chile to address this issue and have communicated the urgency of the situation. Chilean officials have responded by improving operational cooperation with DHS offices in efforts to detect, deter, and prevent travel to the united states by known criminal actors,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.