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Seven Charged in Alleged Burglaries Targeting Professional Athletes
Seven Chilean nationals have been charged in connection with a string of high-profile burglaries targeting the homes of professional athletes, federal prosecutors announced.
According to the complaints filed in Florida, the suspects are accused of stealing over $2 million in valuables, including luxury watches, jewelry, cash, and safes.
Among the victims are Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
The burglaries spanned several months, with the suspects allegedly taking advantage of athletes’ public game schedules to break into their homes while they were away.
Federal authorities describe the accused as part of a South American theft group that specifically targeted prominent athletes because of the perceived high value of items in their residences.
Court documents detail the group’s methods, which included using crowbars to force entry into homes through windows or sliding glass doors, often under cover of darkness or wooded areas.
The stolen items were later photographed by the suspects, with some images showing them celebrating alongside the valuables.
Surveillance footage, cellphone data, and license plate readers were instrumental in tying the suspects to the crimes.
The arrests follow warnings issued last year by the FBI to sports leagues about an increase in sophisticated burglaries.
The agency reported that organized theft groups were employing advanced techniques like disabling Wi-Fi connections and blocking alarm systems, while also surveilling athletes’ homes to plan their heists.
The NFL also issued a memo cautioning players about their schedules being exploited by criminals.
If convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, the suspects face up to 10 years in prison.
The case highlights growing concerns over the safety of public figures and the evolving tactics of organized theft rings.
Authorities continue to urge athletes to take extra precautions to protect their homes and valuables.