Feb. 19 (UPI) — Seven people federal prosecutors said are members of a South American theft group were charged Tuesday with allegedly burglarizing the homes of several professional athletes.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Chilean nationals 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; were charged in the case.
The Justice Department said the suspects “were members of a South American Theft Group that burglarized the homes of professional athletes around the country.”
They were charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and each faces a maximum 10 years in prison if convicted.
“These individuals targeted high-profile athletes in the National Football League and National Basketball Association, all of whom were away or playing in professional games at the times of the burglaries. These individuals stole valuables worth over $2 million,” the Justice Department said.
The suspects burglarized the homes of Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in October 2024, taking jewelry, watches, cash and other luxury merchandise, the Justice Department added.
A Milwaukee Bucks player in November 2024 where a safe was stolen holding property worth $1.484 million.
In December 2024, the theft group allegedly hit a Cincinnati Bengal player’s house for about $300,000 in merchandise and a Memphis Grizzlies player home was burglarized for about $1 million in jewelry, watches and luxury bags.
The FBI said Feb. 8 it was investigating South American theft groups it claimed were stealing from athlete homes as well as targeting jewelry stores and salespeople. The FBI said the group often targeted pro athletes.
Since the fall of 2024, the FBI has warned NFL and NBA athletes about burglars targeting their homes. Law enforcement coast-to-coast have investigated cases believed to have involved South American criminal gangs.
In the criminal complaint charging the Chileans, an FBI Special Agent noted that a photo of the alleged burglars depicts one of them wearing a Kansas City Chiefs jersey.
“Also of note is that P. Zuniga Cartes is wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt in the photo,” the agent said in the criminal complaint. He added wearing the shirt was believed to be a reference to the Oct. 2024 burglaries of Mahomes and Kelce.
