Eight Arrested in Kenosha County as $120K Cartel-Linked Retail Theft Ring Dismantled
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – Authorities announced the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of more than $120,000 in stolen merchandise after dismantling a cartel-linked retail theft ring operating in Wisconsin and beyond. The breakthrough comes after a months-long investigation involving multiple agencies.
Investigation Uncovers Cartel Connections
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, the Kenosha Drug Operations Group (KDOG) partnered with federal and state agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to track the network.
Detectives tied the operation to La Familia Michoacana, a cartel based in Mexico, which allegedly used stash houses, fraudulent IDs, and organized theft crews to steal millions of dollars’ worth of goods nationwide.
Raids Across Wisconsin Yield Stolen Goods
The investigation intensified in April 2025, when deputies in Madison stopped group members and uncovered $21,000 in stolen merchandise. The following month, authorities executed search warrants in Kenosha, seizing more than $53,000 in goods with retail tags still attached, along with burglary tools and evidence of organized theft.
A nearby storage unit contained an additional $16,000 in stolen items, bringing the total recovery to over $120,000.
Suspects in Custody
The suspects, ranging from Kenosha to Chicago and Zion, Illinois, face a variety of charges. Some posted bond but remain under ICE supervision and could face extradition to Mexico if they re-enter the U.S. Others are being held at the Kenosha County Jail.
Officials said several of the arrested individuals were considered “high-level” cartel members. The Kenosha District Attorney’s Office is handling prosecutions.
Sheriff Praises Multi-Agency Cooperation
Sheriff David Zoerner commended the teamwork behind the operation, calling it “a massive undertaking” that successfully dismantled a dangerous theft ring. He credited deputies and partner agencies for their role in disrupting the flow of cartel-driven organized crime in the region.
The arrests mark a significant blow to a theft ring authorities say was stealing millions annually across the U.S. For continuing coverage of public safety updates in Wisconsin and the Midwest, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.