In an unsettling turn of events, NBA star Ja Morant has been named as one of the victims of a nationwide burglary operation that has targeted high-profile athletes, including NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow.
The Memphis Grizzlies point guard is said to have had over $1 million worth of jewelry, luxury bags, and watches stolen from his $3 million Memphis mansion in December 2024.
The Nationwide Heist That Has Athletes on Edge
The string of burglaries is believed to involve a Chilean theft ring that has been targeting the homes of professional athletes across the country.
Morant’s break-in is just one of many in a growing list of incidents, with other notable victims including Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis Jr. and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow.
The thefts have raised serious concerns for athletes, as their private homes have been compromised by this sophisticated operation.
Morant’s Home Targeted While He Was in Game
Ja Morant’s home was burgled between December 19 and 20, 2024, while he was away playing the Golden State Warriors at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
The federal complaint, which identifies Morant as “Professional Athlete 6,” doesn’t specifically name him but describes the break-in that occurred while he was playing in the game.
Shelby County law enforcement has confirmed that investigations are ongoing but have not officially confirmed Morant’s identity as the victim.
A Crime Spree Unfolds Across Major Athletes’ Homes
The burglary suspects, who are part of a Chilean theft ring, have been identified as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, Bastian Orellano Morales, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, and Sergio Ortego Cabello.
Federal prosecutors have charged the group with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted.
The FBI’s investigation has unearthed some of the group’s rookie mistakes, such as posting photos with stolen items to an iCloud account.
This led authorities to track down the criminals, and they have linked the suspects to multiple burglaries, including the December 9th heist at Joe Burrow’s mansion.
Suspects Caught with Burrow’s Items and More
In a bizarre turn of events, the suspects were pulled over by police in January after allegedly robbing Burrow’s home.
When asked where they were headed, the men, who didn’t speak English, gave contradictory responses about their destination.
Upon searching their car, police found items believed to have been stolen from Burrow’s mansion, including an LSU T-shirt and other personal items.
These inconsistencies, along with cell tower data and other evidence, led to the suspects’ arrests.
Photos, Selfies, and Luxury Stolen Goods
A key piece of evidence was photos shared by the burglars, where they can be seen posing with stolen luxury items on a bed surrounded by designer bags.
In one of the photos, a man can be seen wearing multiple chains, one of which features Burrow’s jersey number “9” and another with the “JB9” insignia.
The FBI has linked this jewelry to the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback.
Another odd detail in the case is the image of a man wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt, which is believed to be related to the October 2024 burglaries targeting Mahomes and Kelce.
The Unfolding Impact on Morant’s Career
Ja Morant’s mansion, where the burglary occurred, was previously in the news after an altercation involving a 17-year-old in 2022.
In that case, Morant was cleared of any wrongdoing when a judge ruled he acted in self-defense.
The 25-year-old’s NBA career has been marked by a series of controversies, including a suspension in 2023 after he was caught flashing a gun on an Instagram Live video at a Colorado strip club.
The NBA suspended Morant for eight games, and after another incident involving a firearm just weeks later, he was handed a more severe 25-game suspension.
The league criticized his actions as “reckless and irresponsible,” as Morant is seen as a role model by many young fans.
Authorities Take Action on the Criminal Ring
The FBI has now connected the suspects to multiple burglaries involving athletes.
Aside from the theft of items from Morant, Burrow, and Portis Jr., the group is also linked to the theft of $167,000 worth of luxury goods from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player.
As investigations continue, the stolen items from these athletes’ homes are being recovered, with authorities working diligently to bring the suspects to justice.
As of now, Morant’s focus remains on his professional and personal life, though the burglary and the ongoing investigation continue to add stress to what has already been a challenging time for the talented player.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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