A group of seven members from a South American crime gang has been arrested and charged for a series of burglaries targeting sports stars, including Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow.

New reports have revealed the mistakes these criminals made that led to their capture.

The Mistake That Led to Their Capture

According to FBI documents obtained by ESPN, the thieves made a huge blunder by taking photos with the stolen items and uploading them to an iCloud account, where others could view them.

These selfies of the burglars with stolen watches from Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis Jr.’s home were the key pieces of evidence that led to their arrest.

The FBI used a search warrant to access the iCloud account, and the photos are said to be a major reason the gang members are now in federal custody.

Suspicious Behavior and a Traffic Stop

The suspects made another error when they were pulled over in January after allegedly robbing Joe Burrow’s home.

While driving a rental car, they gave conflicting answers to police officers about their destination.

One officer stopped them and asked where they were headed, to which the men – who did not speak English – gave different answers, saying they were going to Orlando, New York, and then Florida.

The officers then searched the car and found a crowbar, window punches, and what appeared to be Burrow’s personal items, including an LSU T-shirt.

Further investigation revealed the rental car had been in Cincinnati, and cell tower data showed that at least one of the suspects had been in the vehicle.

The Total Value of the Stolen Goods

The stolen items are valued at an estimated $3 million. Along with Kelce, Mahomes, and Burrow, other athletes targeted by the gang include Luka Doncic and Olivier Giroud.

The gang also stole luxury items from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player during a game against the Baltimore Ravens, amounting to $167,000.

The FBI Connects the Dots

In a photograph released by the Department of Justice, three of the accused burglars – Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, and Bastian Jimenez Freraut – are seen posing with a safe and jewelry stolen from Bobby Portis Jr. The safe contained watches, chains, cash, and personal belongings, totaling nearly $1.5 million.

An FBI special agent noted in the complaint that one of the burglars was wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt in a photo, which investigators believe is linked to the October 2024 burglaries of Kelce and Mahomes.

Facing Serious Charges and Prison Time

The men arrested include Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, Bastian Orellano Morales, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, and Sergio Ortega Cabello. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison.

Some of the accused also face charges in Ohio for the December 2024 burglary of Joe Burrow’s home.

The FBI noted that the gang had a clear and consistent pattern – they would track the athletes’ schedules and plan the burglaries while the players were away.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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