Federal authorities in Florida have charged seven Chilean men in connection with a series of high-profile burglaries at the residences of professional athletes across the United States, according to a criminal complaint.
While the FBI did not disclose the names of the victims in its complaint, the list of break-ins includes those previously reported at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, as well as players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Court documents indicate that the suspects belong to an organized burglary network that “is known to target high-profile professional athletes when they are known to be away from home.” Authorities say the group stole approximately $2 million worth of luxury watches, jewelry, cash, and other valuable items, including a safe that was later broken open.
Each suspect faces a charge of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, a crime that carries a potential prison term of up to 10 years. As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether they were in custody, and federal court records in Tampa did not list any legal representatives for them.
The individuals named in the indictment are 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. Although the FBI identified them as Chilean nationals in charging documents, there was no mention of their U.S. citizenship status or whether they were legally residing in the country.
Some members of the group were apprehended in January following a traffic stop in Ohio, where they faced state charges for allegedly burglarizing Burrow’s home. Federal charges were formally filed in Tampa on Jan. 30.
Investigators used cellphone tracking data, security camera footage, and license plate reader technology to place the suspects near the locations of the reported break-ins. The criminals allegedly used basic but effective techniques such as breaking windows and forcing open sliding glass doors with crowbars.
According to the FBI, the burglars often “approach the residences from cover such as, but not limited to, a wooded or dark area” before entering. In one instance, an unnamed Tampa Bay Buccaneers player reported the theft of approximately $167,000 worth of belongings, including a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton suitcase, jewelry, and a firearm.
Photographic evidence obtained by investigators showed members of the group posing with stolen items, some even wearing clothing linked to their victims. One suspect, for example, was seen in an image donning a Kansas City Chiefs shirt.
The FBI noted that the suspects frequently operated in smaller groups to carry out multiple burglaries simultaneously. “However, though burglary groups may consist of four or five members, these separate groups often work in concert with one another, communicate with one another and (use) the same buyers of stolen merchandise,” the affidavit states.
