By: Richard L. Smith
A Chilean national accused of being 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 goods across state lines, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Gustavo Ignacio Salas Ortega, 33, of Chile, faces charges of conspiracy to receive stolen property that crossed state lines and receiving stolen property that crossed state lines.
He was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark on October 14, 2024, in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.
“These sophisticated and highly organized burglaries cause significant harm to businesses and pose a risk to the public,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. “The defendant is accused of breaking into a jewelry store in New Jersey to steal high-value watches and jewelry before transporting the stolen goods to other states. Our office is committed to holding these criminals accountable and protecting local businesses.”
FBI-Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly emphasized the extensive efforts by law enforcement to track down those responsible.
“The Joint Organized Crime Task Force has worked tirelessly to uncover a network of conspirators operating across multiple states,” he said. “These organized theft groups have systematically targeted businesses across the U.S., using sophisticated methods to evade detection. This charge is a significant step toward dismantling this criminal network.”
Court records and investigative findings indicate that Salas Ortega was part of a group that conducted surveillance on a New Jersey mall jewelry store before carrying out the burglary.
The perpetrators reportedly gained access by cutting through the ceiling and an adjacent wall to reach the store’s inventory.
Authorities later discovered Salas Ortega in possession of an expensive wristwatch that had been stolen from the jewelry store.
Further evidence revealed that he had the stolen watch in his possession in New York on multiple occasions following the burglary.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement works to identify additional members of the theft ring.
