Wisconsin Police Warn Residents After South American Crime Ring Linked to Luxury Home Burglaries
MEQUON, Wisconsin — Police in a Milwaukee suburb are warning residents to stay alert after investigators linked a series of luxury home burglaries to a South American crime group operating across Wisconsin and the United States. Authorities say the burglars are highly organized, move silently through wooded areas, and appear to target upscale homes when residents are away.
Trail Camera Footage Shows Masked Intruders Moving Through Woods
The investigation intensified earlier this month when a local hunter captured three masked individuals on a trail camera moving through a wooded area at night. According to Mequon Police Captain John Hoell, the individuals wore gloves, carried backpacks, and quickly fled after noticing the camera — an early clue that tied them to at least a dozen burglaries across Mequon in 2025.
Police told Spectrum News that all the burglaries share the same pattern:
- Homes with wooded backyards
- Burglaries happening on Thursday and Sunday nights
- Incidents between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Residents not home at the time
- Burglars entering from the woods, not the street
Captain Hoell described the suspects as “organized criminals who come prepared with tools to enter homes and safes.”
Despite targeting luxury properties, police say the burglars only steal handbags, jewelry, and cash, avoiding electronics or easily traceable items.
Realtors Raise Red Flags as Suspicious Behavior Increases
Real estate broker Suzanne Powers, who sells high-end homes in Milwaukee and Ozaukee Counties, says unusual behavior around showings began last year — long before police publicly linked the activity to a crime network.
She described multiple alarming encounters:
“We had a car sitting outside one of our listings at 10:30 p.m. taking photos. Another man came into a broker open, refused to give real information, and left when he saw the surveillance.”
Powers warns that professional-looking individuals may be scouting luxury homes under the guise of buyers. She recommends strict safety measures:
- Multiple realtors present at all showings
- No lockboxes
- Limiting exposure on major real estate websites
- Immediate reporting of anything suspicious
She emphasized that homeowners and realtors must be vigilant because the criminals “look polished” and can blend in.
Possible Connection to Bobby Portis Burglary Case
Mequon Police say they are investigating whether this burglary ring could be linked to the 2024 home invasion involving Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis, where seven Chilean nationals were charged with targeting the homes of professional athletes nationwide.
Captain Hoell told Spectrum News the burglars appear to be part of the same pattern:
“They are all targeting those types of homes. We are putting in a lot of resources into this.”
Authorities across the state and country are sharing information as the group is believed to operate across multiple states, not just Wisconsin.
Police urge residents to keep security systems activated, monitor their neighborhoods, and report anything out of place immediately.
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