Seven individuals from Chile face charges in federal court in Florida for allegedly orchestrating a series of burglaries targeting famous professional athletes across the United States, based on a recent criminal complaint.
While the complaint does not reveal the names of the athletes directly, it highlights instances that have been previously reported involving Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as Joe Burrow from the Cincinnati Bengals. Additionally, it mentions involvement with athletes from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NBA teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
The complaint describes the defendants as members of a burglary ring that specifically targets high-profile athletes when it is known that they are away from their residences. The group is believed to have stolen approximately $2 million worth of items, including luxury watches, jewelry, cash, and even a safe that they managed to break into.
Each member of the group has been charged with conspiring to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, a crime that could lead to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. As of Wednesday, it was unclear whether the suspects are currently in custody, and Tampa’s federal court records do not indicate if they have legal representation.
The accused 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 records categorize them as Chilean citizens, but do not clarify whether any of them have U.S. citizenship or legal status in the country.
Some of the suspects were apprehended in January during a traffic stop in Ohio, where they faced state charges related to the alleged burglary of Burrow’s home. The federal charges in Tampa were filed shortly after on January 30.
Evidence presented in the complaint largely stems from cellphone records, surveillance footage, and license plate recognition technology that purportedly places the defendants at the locations of the crimes. The group reportedly employed basic methods for breaking into properties, such as smashing windows or using crowbars to lift sliding doors.
According to the FBI affidavit, the burglars would approach homes from concealed locations, including wooded or dark areas, before executing their break-ins. One unnamed player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reported approximately $167,000 worth of belongings stolen, encompassing a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton suitcase, jewelry, and even a firearm.
The group was also known to document their crimes by taking photos with some of the stolen items, which have been included in the criminal complaint. In one recorded instance, a suspect was seen wearing apparel from the Kansas City Chiefs. The burglars often broke into residences in smaller teams, suggesting a strategic approach to maximize their efforts.
The FBI noted that even though these burglary units may consist of four to five members, they frequently operate collaboratively, maintaining communication and using the same outlets for selling stolen goods.
