NEWARK, N.J. — A Chilean man believed to be part of a South American theft group has been charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize a New Jersey jewelry store and transport stolen property across state lines, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.
Gustavo Ignacio Salas Ortega, 33, was charged by federal complaint with one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property that had crossed state lines and one count of receiving stolen property that had crossed state lines. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers arrested him on October 14, 2024, in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.
Khanna said Ortega was part of an organized network targeting businesses. “Sophisticated and highly organized burglars that allegedly target businesses do great damage and put the public at risk,” he said. “This office is committed to finding the perpetrators of these crimes and preventing them from continuing to harm our businesses.”
Authorities described the case as part of a larger investigation into theft groups operating nationwide. FBI-Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said, “These alleged criminals are part of South American theft groups who have been targeting stores throughout the United States for months.”
ICE officials emphasized their focus on public safety in handling such cases. “The illegal alien offender threatened the public safety of our community by participating in an organized theft group,” said ICE ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.
