Chilean Men Charged in Burglaries of Athletes’ Homes
Seven men from Chile have been charged in Florida federal court with orchestrating burglaries at the homes of prominent professional athletes around the country, according to a criminal complaint.
Details of the Criminal Complaint
The FBI complaint lists burglaries involving athletes such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, and players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies. The defendants are accused of targeting high-profile athletes when they are away from home, stealing approximately $2 million worth of watches, jewelry, cash, and other valuables.
Charges and Arrests
Each defendant faces charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Some of the men were arrested in January after a traffic stop in Ohio, where they were found to be in the country illegally. The federal charges in Tampa were filed on January 30.
Manner of Operation
The burglars used crude methods like breaking windows or prying open doors with crowbars. They approached residences from cover before breaking in, with evidence from cellphone data, surveillance videos, and license plate readers implicating them in the crimes.
Response from Athletes
Athletes like Bobby Portis expressed relief that arrests had been made, emphasizing the emotional impact of having their hard-earned belongings stolen. The burglars even took photos with the stolen items, with one suspect wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt.
Conclusion
The Chilean men accused of burglarizing athletes’ homes face serious charges and potential prison time for their actions. The FBI investigation has uncovered details of their criminal activities and identified their targets.
FAQs
Q: What was the approximate value of the items stolen by the burglars?
A: The defendants allegedly stole about $2 million in watches, jewelry, cash, and other valuables.
Q: How did the burglars typically gain entry into the homes?
A: They used methods such as breaking windows or prying open sliding glass doors with crowbars.
