Seven Charged in Nationwide Athlete Burglaries

Seven Chilean nationals have been charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, following a series of burglaries targeting the homes of high-profile athletes such as Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The theft group, identified as a South American organized crime ring, is accused of stealing over $2 million in valuables from athletes' homes while they were away for professional games. The burglaries occurred between October and December 2024, affecting athletes from the NFL and NBA, including Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, and others. The suspects face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. Investigations revealed the group used sophisticated methods to target homes, involving satellite images and surveillance. Arrests were made after a traffic stop in Ohio, and evidence includes stolen jewelry and luxury items.