Leader of Texas burglary ring targeting luxury homes, sentenced to 37 years for organized crime

COLLIN COUNTY – The leader of a Houston-based burglary gang that targeted 10 residents of Asian, South Asian and Middle Eastern descent for gold, jewelry and cash has been sentenced to 37 years in prison for organized criminal activity.

Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, 30, of Houston, orchestrated the high-profile home burglaries in Collin County and led a group of burglars from Guatemala, Honduras and Venezuela.

The crimes occurred from July to September 2023 in Plano, Prosper and McKinney.

“Collin County will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens targeting our law-abiding citizens,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in a news release. “Cardenas-Salinas had no right to reside in this county, let alone this country. This lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message: we will protect our community from those who come here to commit crimes.”

Willis’ office said the burglars targeted homes where they believed significant amounts of cash and valuables were stored.

Plano police linked the suspects through vehicle tracking, phone records and surveillance footage. Nine people involved in the burglaries were ultimately arrested, according to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office.

Cardenas-Salinas, who was previously deported twice and returned illegally, gave instructions on which houses to target and how to distribute the stolen gold, authorities said. He also previously served six months in prison after being convicted of attempted deadly conduct.