U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of nine Chilean nationals linked to a South American Theft Group (SATG) operating in New Jersey.
NEWARK, N.J. — The arrests were carried out by ICE Newark officers in coordination with FBI Newark’s Criminal Enterprise agents and the Joint Organized Crime Task Force. The individuals were taken into custody in Jersey City and Princeton, officials said.
Criminal Records Across Multiple States
According to ICE, all nine suspects had overstayed their visas, and many carried extensive criminal histories involving theft and related crimes in multiple states. The agency noted it was unclear why some had not previously been deported despite repeat offenses.
One Chilean national was found to have prior arrests in Florida for retail theft and the use of an anti-shoplifting device, as well as fraudulent credit card use in Tennessee. Another was identified as an active SATG member previously arrested for larceny in Florida and receiving stolen property in New Jersey.
Others in custody included:
- A Chilean national with prior arrests for petit larceny, grand theft, and DUI, and an outstanding warrant in Florida for failure to appear.
- A known associate of an SATG group facing an outstanding burglary warrant in Pennsylvania.
ICE is withholding the names of the suspects due to an ongoing investigation.
The SATG Threat
SATGs are transnational criminal organizations known for sophisticated high-end burglaries, retail theft, and property crimes across the U.S. Law enforcement agencies say the groups are primarily comprised of Chilean and Colombian nationals who either entered illegally or exploited U.S. visa programs.
“By working closely with our law enforcement partners, ICE is dismantling South American Theft Groups and ensuring those who break our laws face justice,” said Ruben Perez, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark acting Field Office Director.
Rising Crime Trends
Federal authorities link the rise of SATG-related crimes to increased illegal border crossings in recent years. Officials say SATG members have been tied to home invasions, retail thefts, and burglaries in multiple states, with some even using signal jammers to block emergency calls during crimes.
In 2023, law enforcement agencies in Florida reported SATG members targeting Asian American households, while the NFL issued a security alert after professional football players’ homes were burglarized in the Midwest. Multi-agency operations in states like Texas continue to investigate large-scale theft and burglary operations connected to SATG.
