A notorious gang of Chilean nationals recently found themselves in hot water after being charged with a series of high-profile burglaries that targeted prominent athletes across the United States. Among the victims were Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The seven illegal immigrants, identified as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, Bastian Orellano Morales, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, and Sergio Ortega Cabello, were charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in Tampa, Florida.
The suspects are believed to be part of a “South American Theft Group” that specifically targeted high-profile athletes in the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) while they were away or playing in professional games. The burglaries occurred while the athletes were occupied with their respective games, leaving their homes vulnerable to theft. The criminals made off with a variety of valuable items, including jewelry, watches, cash, and other luxury goods.
Sophisticated Heists Across the Nation
In a coordinated effort, the Chilean nationals allegedly executed a string of burglaries, strategically timed to coincide with the absence of their targets. The first wave of robberies took place in Missouri, where the homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were ransacked. The thieves capitalized on the opportunity while the Chiefs were preparing to play against the New Orleans Saints in Kansas City, making off with a significant amount of valuables.
The illicit activities didn’t stop there. The criminals extended their reach to Tampa, targeting a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. The stolen items included jewelry, designer watches, luxury luggage, and even a firearm. The pattern of burglaries continued as the burglars moved on to Milwaukee, breaking into the home of a Milwaukee Bucks player during a game. The stolen loot from this heist amounted to nearly $1.5 million, showcasing the scale and audacity of their operations.
Bold Tactics and Daring Escapades
The audacious gangbangers continued their spree with a break-in at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow while the team was away playing the Cowboys in Texas. The criminals made off with an estimated $300,000 worth of Burrow’s luxury possessions, including personalized diamond-encrusted chains. Adding insult to injury, three of the suspects flaunted their ill-gotten gains by posting photos with the stolen items on social media.
The brazen display of stolen goods caught the attention of federal authorities, leading to the eventual arrest of three of the suspects near Fairborn, Ohio, during a routine traffic stop. The trio, identified as Quiroga Sanchez, Orellano Morales, and Ortega Cabello, were indicted in federal court in Cincinnati for the robbery and charged with falsifying records in a federal investigation.
As the investigation unraveled, it was revealed that the gang had struck once again, this time targeting the Tennessee home of a Memphis Grizzlies player while the team was playing in Memphis. The stolen items, valued at approximately $1 million, added to the staggering total of more than $2 million in valuables taken by the alleged perpetrators during their crime spree.
If convicted, the accused face the prospect of a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, underscoring the seriousness of their crimes and the potential consequences of their actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which criminals will go to target high-profile individuals and the importance of vigilant security measures to safeguard against such threats.
