One of several South American nationals accused in a coordinated string of home break-ins in affluent neighborhoods in Oakland County and other areas was sentenced to prison Monday.

Chilean Antonio Ruiz-Saldias, 29, was tried and convicted in April of conducting a criminal enterprise and three counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion for his role in the crime spree. The home invasions occurred in February 2023 where thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry and expensive handbags were reported stolen from residences in Oakland, Wayne and Kent counties.

In sentencing Ruiz-Saldias, Judge Kwame Rowe ordered him to spend 10 to 20 years incarcerated for the criminal enterprise conviction and 4 to 15 years for the home invasions, to be served concurrently. Jail credit of 265 days was noted.

Ruiz-Saldias and four others were arrested in March 2023 in Indiana. He’s the first of the group to go through trial. Prosecutors from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office took on the cases.

When charged for the Michigan crimes, Ruiz-Saldias was in custody at the Hamilton County Jail in Hamilton County, Indiana, where he was convicted on separate home invasion-related charges.

“I am proud of the teamwork and the effort that brought this case to a close with a conviction,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated in a news release. “I hope it sends a clear message to the transnational gangs that there are consequences for criminal behavior in Oakland County. I thank the prosecutors from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office for their successful court work. I also commend Judge Rowe for leveling an appropriate sentence.”

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said two of the other defendants are in custody in Ohio awaiting extradition to Oakland County to face charges. According to the AG’s Office, the home invasions Ruiz-Saldia participated in typically happened in vacant homes. Techniques to thwart alarm systems were used, as were “extensive precautions to avoid personal identification on home security camera systems and by forensic analyses of crime scenes.”

The AG’s Office said home invasions connected to the alleged crime ring continue throughout southeastern Michigan and an investigation continues.