(WFRV) – Officials in Wisconsin say that an investigation into an organized retail theft ring has resulted in the arrest of multiple high-ranking cartel members, with several members deported.
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, detectives were contacted in March 2025 by the Oak Brook Police in Illinois regarding an investigation with Homeland Security and ICE about an organized retail theft ring directly tied to a Mexican cartel.
The group was observed committing thefts on April 6 in Pleasant Prairie, and on April 10, several members were detained during a Kenosha County traffic stop. The detainees were reportedly in possession of over $21,000 in stolen items from a Madison retailer.
On May 6, detectives conducted a search warrant at an apartment, leading officials to a Kenosha storage unit and another warrant was served on the same day.
Four members were taken into custody, and the other four weren’t at the residence at the time, but officials learned their locations and Illinois State Police troopers and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office helped take them into custody with ICE, Kenosha County detectives and Homeland Security.
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The individuals who were arrested are as follows, with multiple having been deported (in italics) after posting $25,000 in cash bonds, with extraditable warrants out for their arrest:
- Javier Gonzalez-Medrano Fausto of Kenosha
- Jose Antonio Baez-Fuerte of Kenosha
- Jorge Alberto Villeda-Sevilla of Kenosha
- Sharon Jazmin Villeda-Sevilla of Kenosha
- Ana Paola Villeda-Sevilla of Kenosha
- Manuel Perez-Sanchez of Zion, Illinois
- Danna Paola Gomez of Chicago
- Yareli E Salas-Ramirez of Zion, Illinois
The other individuals are in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. Officials say they recovered over $120,000 in stolen property, with officials stating that at least $53,000 of the stolen items still had a price tag.
