Monday, August 5, 2024

PONTIAC, Mich. - On Saturday, August 3, 2024, Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged five defendants related to an alleged trans-national theft ring. Owen Jean Cortes, a 25-year-old citizen of Colombia, is charged with 2nd Degree Home Invasion and Possession of Burglar's Tools. Luis Felipe Camargo, a 43-year-old citizen of Mexico, is charged with 2nd Degree Home Invasion and Operating with Suspended/Revoked/Denied License. Michel Leandro Alba Rincon, a 39-year-old citizen of Colombia, Omar Giovanny Rodriguez Aponte, a 48-year-old citizen of Colombia, and 27-year-old Geovanny Enrique Castellanos Forero, are each charged with 2nd Degree Home Invasion.

Charges issued against these five defendants stem from an incident that occurred on August 1, 2024, in the City of Troy. At approximately 12:45 pm, the homeowner got a notification from their home security system that someone was inside their home. The victim checked their security phone app and observed an individual in the living room, and they alerted the police. Officers located all five defendants in the vicinity of the house, and they were taken into custody. 

The defendants were arraigned on Sunday, August 4, 2024, in the 52-4 District Court before Magistrate Robert Morad. Bond was set at $1,000,000, no 10%. All five defendants remain in custody at the Oakland County Jail. A Probable Cause Conference is set for August 15 at 9:30 am.

"Breaking into a home is a serious crime. It threatens our personal security in the place we should feel most safe. Because of the quick action of this homeowner and the Troy Police, these defendants are locked up, and my office will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "Theft rings have become a major contributor to crime in our community, and I am committed to continued collaboration with law enforcement to keep these dangerous criminal off of the street."

2nd Degree Home Invasion is a felony punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $3,000. Possession of Burglar's Tools is a felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. Driving with Suspended/Revoked/Denied License is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days jail time and/or a fine up to $500.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: ocpomedia@oakgov.com