Seven charged for burglarizing homes of professional athletes
- Seven men from Chile have been charged for their involvement in a theft ring that targeted professional athletes.
- The group allegedly stole valuables worth over $2 million from athletes' homes, including during games.
- If convicted, the defendants face significant prison time, highlighting the seriousness of these crimes.
In January 2025, federal prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, charged seven members of a South American theft group for orchestrating burglaries at the homes of professional athletes across the United States. The defendants, who are all Chilean, are accused of targeting high-profile athletes, such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow, while they were away from home or participating in games. Allegations indicate that the group stole valuables worth approximately $2 million, using methods like breaking windows or prying open doors. Law enforcement has linked this group to multiple similar burglaries, describing their operations as having a consistent modus operandi to infiltrate homes unnoticed. Evidence gathered by the FBI, including cellphone data and surveillance footage, placed the suspects at the scene of the crimes. Each defendant faces charges for conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which may carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. The thefts occurred while the athletes were at games, indicating a calculated approach to avoid confrontation. Additional complicity was demonstrated through evidence showing the group using