- Seattle man Earl Henderson Riley IV is charged with burglarizing homes of major athletes, including Blake Snell, Julio Rodrรญguez, Luis Castillo, and Richard Sherman.
- The investigation involved six police departments and is still ongoing, with authorities suspecting Riley led a larger burglary crew.
- Public outrage grows as Riley had been previously released after robbery charges, raising concerns about repeat offenders and community safety.
In a case thatโs rattled both sports fans and neighborhoods across the Pacific Northwest, a 21-year-old man from Seattle stands accused of burglarizing the homes of some of Americaโs most celebrated athletes. Prosecutors say he deliberately targeted high-profile figures, slipping into their homes and lives when no one expected it.
Star Athletes Become Unexpected Victims
The accused, Earl Henderson Riley IV, is now facing serious felony charges. Prosecutors say he broke into the homes of Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Blake Snell, Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodrรญguez, Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo, and retired Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. Riley is currently locked up in King County Jail with a bail set at $1 million.
The charges: four counts of residential burglary and one count of first-degree robbery.
To the public, these athletes might seem untouchable, guarded by wealth and status. But this case reminds everyoneโeven millionaires can become victims. Itโs left fans stunned and athletes shaken.
A Meticulous Investigation Across Multiple Jurisdictions
The investigation kicked off in early 2025 and soon expanded across six police departments. Authorities say it took weeks of relentless work, involving search warrants and surveillance, before they finally brought charges.
Leesa Manion, the King County Prosecuting Attorney, described the case as complex and time-consuming. โWe worked for weeks on this, and weโre not done yet,โ she said.
Officials believe Riley wasnโt working alone. In fact, they suspect he was the ringleader of a larger burglary crew thatโs still under investigation. โWe had to stop this group,โ said Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff. โOnce we figured out who was calling the shots, we charged him. But thatโs just the beginning. We want to find out who else was involved.โ
A Troubling Past and a Community on Edge
This isnโt Rileyโs first run-in with the law. In February, he pleaded guilty to three robbery counts but was released shortly after. That decision is now under renewed scrutiny, sparking outrage among community members and raising questions about how the justice system handles repeat offenders.
Some residents say they feel let down by the courts. โHe shouldโve never been back on the street,โ one neighbor told reporters. โIf theyโd kept him in custody, maybe these break-ins wouldnโt have happened.โ
Athletes targeted in the crimes have kept mostly silent, but the mood around their fan communities is tense. Many feel personally betrayed. โHe didnโt just steal from them,โ one Mariners fan said. โHe stole our sense of safety, too.โ
What Comes Next?
As investigators continue digging, more arrests could follow. The prosecutorโs office says additional charges are possible once they gather enough evidence. For now, the case remains active and far from over.
Meanwhile, people across Seattleโand sports fans nationwideโare watching closely. They want justice for the athletes and reassurance that their homes wonโt be next.
This case has exposed more than a single criminal act. Itโs peeled back layers of vulnerability, fame, and public trust. And itโs sparked a new conversation about what it really means to be safe, no matter how famousโor how unknownโyou are.
