ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Seven individuals from Chile have been indicted in a federal court in Florida for allegedly orchestrating a series of burglaries targeting the residences of well-known professional athletes across the United States, as outlined in a criminal complaint.
While the FBI’s complaint does not name the athletes specifically, it references burglaries that have already attracted media attention, implicating notable figures such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, along with players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
According to the allegations, these men are part of a sophisticated burglary network that specializes in targeting high-profile athletes during their absences from home. The group is said to have stolen approximately $2 million worth of items, including watches, jewelry, cash, and a safe that they managed to open.
All defendants face charges of conspiracy to execute interstate transportation of stolen property, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It remains unclear if any of the suspects are currently in custody, and federal court records in Tampa do not indicate representation by legal counsel for any of the accused.
The individuals charged are identified as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24; Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20; Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27; Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22; Bastian Orellano Morales, 23; Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24; and Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38. The FBI classifies them as Chilean nationals but does not confirm whether they hold U.S. citizenship or legal status in the country.
Some of these suspects were apprehended in January following a traffic stop in Ohio related to alleged break-ins at Burrow’s residence. The federal charges were subsequently filed on January 30.
The FBI’s evidence relies heavily on cellphone data, surveillance footage, and license plate recognition systems that purportedly track the defendants near the crime scenes. Their methods reportedly included basic tactics such as breaking windows or using crowbars to pry open sliding glass doors.
The affidavit details that the burglars would often approach homes from concealed spots, such as wooded or dark areas, prior to the break-ins. In one incident involving a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, about $167,000 worth of items were reported stolen, including a Rolex watch, designer luggage, jewelry, and a firearm.
Additionally, the group documented their activities by taking photographs with some of the stolen goods, which have been included in the criminal filings. In one image, a suspect is seen wearing apparel representing the Kansas City Chiefs. The burglars frequently divided into smaller teams to carry out multiple heists, as suggested by the FBI.
The FBI affidavit explains, “though burglary groups may consist of four or five members, these smaller teams often collaborate, communicate, and utilize the same channels for selling the stolen items.”
