Chilean Nationals Charged in Michigan Jewelry Store Robberies Oct 10, 2023
By yourNEWS Media
Four individuals from Chile have been accused of orchestrating a series of forceful robberies at jewelry stores located in Oakland County, Michigan. These charges emerge amid concerns voiced by the local sheriff about foreigners allegedly entering the U.S. with the intent to commit thefts.
The suspects, identified as Hernan Parraquez-Mondaca, Michael Aguilar- Mondaca, Sandrino Rojas-Palma, and Nicholas Caceres-Hernandez, were charged with felony assault and armed robbery in connection with incidents at MJ Diamonds and the Macy’s jewelry department in August. While no firearms were reportedly used during the robberies, the accused individuals are said to have donned masks, utilized pepper spray against store employees, and smashed display cases using hammers to seize jewelry.
The mode of entry for these Chilean nationals into the U.S. is yet to be determined, with questions arising as to whether they came through the southern border or entered on temporary visas. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has placed detainers on all four individuals. Currently, they are being held in the Oakland County Jail without the option of bail.
These arrests follow comments by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard regarding a rise in burglaries he attributes to individuals crossing the southern border, a phenomenon he referred to as “crime tourism.” Sheriff Bouchard elaborated, stating that some transnational gangs from South America target American communities with the aim of committing burglaries. “These are transnational gangs that are involved in this that come from South America, looking to do burglaries and violate our communities, not just in Oakland County but across America,” Bouchard mentioned.
He went on to describe the typical items these gangs target, which include “jewelry, high-end purses and watches, currency and safes.” These stolen goods are then allegedly sold at discounted rates to fences who subsequently find other avenues to offload the items.
This issue, often dubbed “crime tourism”, isn’t restricted to Oakland County. Lapses in the enforcement of federal immigration laws have reportedly enabled such criminals to operate without detection. As a case in point, two foreign nationals were arrested earlier this year in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in connection with a jewelry store burglary. Both individuals are believed to be affiliated with a theft ring based in South America.
