ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a concerning development, seven men from Chile have been charged in a federal court in Florida for their alleged involvement in a series of burglaries targeting high-profile professional athletes across the nation. The allegations come from a criminal complaint filed by the FBI.
While the complaint does not mention the names of the athletes involved, it references several notable victims, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
The complaint details that this group is known for specifically targeting well-known athletes when they are away from their homes. Reports indicate that the men have stolen approximately $2 million worth of watches, jewelry, cash, and other valuables, even managing to crack a safe in one instance.
Each of the defendants faces charges related to conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, a crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years. It remains unclear whether any of them are currently in custody, as federal court records in Tampa do not indicate legal representation for the accused.
The individuals charged in this case are identified as 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. While they are recognized as Chilean nationals, the documents do not clarify their immigration status in the United States.
Some of these suspects were previously arrested in January during a traffic stop in Ohio for allegedly breaking into Burrow’s home. Federal charges were officially filed on January 30.
Evidence collected by the FBI includes cellphone data, surveillance footage, and license plate readings, which reportedly link the defendants to the sites of the burglaries. They generally employed straightforward methods, such as breaking windows or forcing open sliding doors.
Describing their tactics, the FBI noted that these burglars would approach homes from obscured areas before breaking in. In one incident involving a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, approximately $167,000 in belongings were stolen, which included a Rolex watch, luxury luggage, jewelry, and even a firearm.
Interestingly, the group reportedly took photos with some of the stolen goods, and one suspect was seen wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt in one such picture. The burglars often operate in smaller units to carry out multiple burglaries simultaneously, although they frequently coordinate with each other and use the same buyers for the stolen items.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing need for security and vigilance, particularly among those in the public eye who may be more vulnerable when away from their homes.
