Seven individuals from Chile have been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their alleged involvement in a series of burglaries targeting the homes of well-known athletes, including NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The authorities refer to them as part of a “South American Theft Group.”
In a statement released on February 18, the office revealed the names of the accused: Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27, Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24, Bastian Orellano Morales, 23, Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22, and Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20. They face charges of conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines.
Reports indicate that this group specifically targeted high-profile athletes in major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA. They allegedly broke into homes while these athletes were away or participating in games, which were often advertised online.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the group is accused of stealing valuables worth over $2 million. Investigators noted that the members coordinated their activities, dividing responsibilities among themselves for various tasks, including renting vehicles, securing short-term lodging, obtaining fake identification, and arranging buyers for the stolen goods. They were able to gather evidence through search warrants and other investigative measures.
Both Mahomes’ and Kelce’s homes were reportedly burglarized within two days of each other in October 2024. Mahomes’ residence in Belton, Missouri, was targeted first, with police responding to a call about a break-in at midnight on October 5. There were no indications of forced entry, according to the police report.
Less than 48 hours later, while the Kansas City Chiefs played a game, Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas, was also broken into. By the time authorities were notified, approximately $20,000 worth of items had been stolen.
The stolen goods included jewelry, watches, cash, and luxury items. Authorities have released images of the accused posing with the stolen merchandise.
In addition to the homes of Mahomes and Kelce, another player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a Milwaukee Bucks player also fell victim to this crime wave in late 2024. The thieves made off with various high-value items during these burglaries, leading to significant financial losses for the athletes.
On top of this, reports indicate that players from the Cincinnati Bengals and Memphis Grizzlies were also targeted in December 2024, with the total value of stolen items estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
