KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – A man accused of orchestrating a multi-state retail theft ring—and identified by Texas authorities as the “handler” of a criminal organization—appeared in Kenosha County court Wednesday, as prosecutors push for higher bail and federal agencies continue investigating the case’s possible ties to Mexican cartels.

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Manuel Perez-Sanchez, 39, of Kenosha was extradited from Illinois after being arrested earlier this month. He appeared before Court Commissioner William Michel II, along with co-defendants Danna Paola Gomez, 20 and Yareli E. Salas-Ramirez, 31, both of Kenosha. Each was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail.

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Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus urged the court to impose a higher bail amount, citing the seriousness of the charges and recent developments in the case.

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“Honestly, I’d be asking for a higher amount based on the new charges,” Norkus said, referring to eight felony charges recently filed against Perez-Sanchez in DuPage County, Illinois. “At the time this was issued, I don’t believe he had been charged by DuPage County yet.”

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Norkus also noted that the Katy, Texas Police Department has identified Perez-Sanchez as the handler for a criminal organization involved in large-scale, coordinated retail theft across multiple states.

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The charges in Kenosha stem from an April 10 traffic stop, when Perez-Sanchez, Gomez, and Salas-Ramirez were allegedly caught with more than $20,000 in merchandise stolen from high-end retailers such as Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, and Nike. Deputies reported finding foil-lined bags, shipping supplies, and security-tagged clothing in the vehicle.

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The trio allegedly provided false names at the scene and now face charges of concealing stolen property over $10,000, as well as obstruction. Court records and witness statements indicate the group frequently traveled between Wisconsin and Illinois, targeting retail stores in cities including Madison, Appleton, Pleasant Prairie, and Rosemont.

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The April 10 stop led to a broader investigation and a May 6 search warrant executed at a Kenosha apartment, where authorities seized approximately $100,000 in additional stolen merchandise.

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Investigators from multiple jurisdictions, including Homeland Security and law enforcement in Texas, are now involved. Sources familiar with the case told Kenosha County Eye that connections to Mexican drug cartels remain under investigation. At least four defendants are currently subject to ICE holds.

With Monday’s court appearances, seven defendants have now appeared before a judge or commissioner. The final defendant, Fausto Javier Gonzalez-Medrano, was recently taken into custody in Illinois and is expected to be extradited to Kenosha in the coming days.

Kenosha County Eye will continue reporting on this case as authorities pursue the final extradition and explore broader criminal ties linked to this organized theft operation.