Federal officials have arrested seven Chilean nationals on charges related to a series of celebrity burglaries directed at professional players, including NFL players Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow.
The defendants are accused of belonging to a South American Theft Group (SATG) and plotted break-ins all over the nation, taking advantage of readily accessible game schedules to attack when players were not at home.
A Calculated Crime Spree
As per an unsealed federal complaint, the burglary circle has been active since October 2024 and targeted athletes from the NFL, NBA, and other professional leagues. The suspects took great care to track team schedules so that homes were unoccupied on game nights.
"In many circumstances, professional sports teams publicize their schedules and locations of their games, making it easy for SATG members to know when a particular athlete will be away from his residence," the complaint stated.
The Suspects and Their Crimes
Authorities have identified the seven defendants as:
- Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22
- Bastian Orellano Morales, 23
- Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38
- Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24
- Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20
- Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24
- Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27
According to Fox News, these people are charged with breaking into the residences of several professional athletes, including some players from the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, Milwaukee Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Stolen Goods and Social Media Clues
A damning photo released by the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida features the suspects showing off stolen goods, including high-end jewelry, designer apparel, and luxury items.
One of them was wearing Kansas City Chiefs attire, a horrifying reference to the targeted players.
Police connected the perpetrators to the burglary of Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis on November 2, 2024, which saw him later share a heartbreaking message on social media.
Other victims are said to include players for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Memphis Grizzlies, though their names have not been made public by authorities.
What Consequences Await the Suspects
Each of the seven suspects is charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which has a top penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Federal authorities had earlier linked three of the suspects to the break-in at Joe Burrow's home, making them even more entrenched in these high-profile crimes.
NFL Sends Security Alert
The NFL sent a security warning to players and teams in response to the crime spree, calling for heightened awareness. The memo, which was accessed by The Associated Press, alerted them that they were becoming victims of increasing attacks by organized crime syndicates.
The criminals, according to law enforcement officials, carry out extensive surveillance on their victims and even go so far as to disguise themselves as landscapers, deliverymen, or joggers to blend into neighborhoods.
The memo recommends to players:
- Install home security systems and cameras
- Do not post real-time updates about where they are on social media
- Not display high-value assets online
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