In a shocking turn of events, seven members of a South American crime gang have been arrested and charged for a string of high-profile burglaries that targeted several sports stars, including NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
Their capture, as reported by ESPN, came after a series of blunders that ultimately led the FBI to them.
The Critical Mistakes That Led to Their Arrest
One of the biggest mistakes made by the gang members was their use of stolen items for photos.
The thieves, unaware that they were being watched, took selfies with expensive watches they had stolen from the home of Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis Jr. These photos were posted to an iCloud site, which became a major lead for the authorities.
With a search warrant in hand, the FBI accessed the iCloud account and uncovered the photos, which helped them track down the suspects.
Additionally, in January, some of the suspects drew attention when they were stopped by police after allegedly robbing the home of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
During the stop, the suspects, who didn’t speak English and were driving a rental car, gave conflicting answers about their destination, further raising suspicion.
When the police searched the car, they found a crowbar, “window punches,” and items believed to belong to Burrow, including an LSU T-shirt. This led to their arrest and further investigation.
The Scope of the Crime and High-Profile Victims
The suspects’ crimes were not limited to just Kelce, Burrow, and Mahomes.
Other notable athletes targeted by the gang include NBA star Luka Doncic and soccer player Olivier Giroud.
The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at a staggering $3 million, with luxury watches, jewelry, and cash being among the prime items taken.
Photos released by the Department of Justice showed three of the suspects, Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, and Bastian Jimenez Freraut, posing with stolen items, including a safe filled with valuables taken after the burglary of Portis Jr.’s home.
The safe reportedly contained nearly $1.5 million worth of watches, chains, and other personal items.
The Men Behind the Crime and Their Legal Troubles
The gang members arrested in connection with the robberies include Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, Bastian Orellano Morales, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, and Sergio Ortega Cabello.
If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in prison.
One of the most interesting details mentioned in the complaint is the discovery of a Kansas City Chiefs shirt worn by Pablo Zuniga Cartes in the selfie.
This shirt is believed to be connected to the October 2024 burglaries that targeted Kelce and Mahomes, two of the most prominent players in the NFL.
FBI Investigation Reveals a Clear Pattern of Burglary
The FBI’s investigation revealed a consistent pattern of behavior, or “modus operandi,” among the thieves.
The gang would identify when the targeted athletes would be away from their homes—typically during away games—and then use this information to plan their break-ins.
This meticulous approach helped them avoid detection for a while, but their carelessness eventually led to their downfall.
A Broader Crime Network and Additional Investigations
Apart from the burglaries of Kelce, Mahomes, Burrow, and others, the FBI has also linked the group to a burglary of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player while the team played the Baltimore Ravens. In that case, the thieves are accused of stealing $167,000 worth of luxury goods.
In addition to the charges in connection with the high-profile sports figures, three of the defendants also face charges related to a December 2024 burglary in Ohio targeting Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the full extent of the gang’s criminal activity.
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