A string of home burglaries targeting several American professional athletes took place over the past year, amounting to $2 million in stolen items.
A Criminal Complaint was filed in January by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against seven individuals. These individuals are believed to be connected to a Chilean group of thieves known as the “South American Theft Group” (SATG). An FBI Special Agent, who investigated the thieves, wrote the complaint.
Notable victims of theft include Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, along with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals. Three other athletes were also subject to theft. Bobby Portis of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, one of the victims, reported stolen possessions last fall. Each player has been identified as a victim of SATG theft.
A tactic of SATG is burglarizing athletes’ homes while their teams are known to be on the road.
Among targeted items for theft were expensive pieces of jewelry, watches, U.S. money, and merchandise.
The complaint alleges that the SATG negotiated with, and eventually sold, stolen items to buyers. After this, “SATGs will then funnel the money into their personal accounts or send it to associates, coconspirators, or family in their respective country.”
The complaint further describes how the thieves conducted their burglaries in six homes.
The suspects were identified after search warrants were granted for cellular towers near burglarized locations, leading to suspected phone numbers to be tracked. Once phones were identified, the data on them was investigated for incriminating evidence.
A photograph of four thieves flaunting watches and a chain associated with Bobby Portis was discovered through cellular investigation.
Another photo was released later on depicting the suspects defiantly flaunting several items stolen from Joe Burrow. These items include Louis Vuitton luggage, a hat, and some chains.
Discovered evidence was promptly provided to FBI Cincinnati and local law enforcement. On January 10, four thieves were arrested during a traffic stop in Ohio while “in possession of several fraudulent identifications and burglary tools.” According to the complaint, they were each charged with “participating in a criminal gang, obstructing official business, possessing criminal tools, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and conduct.”
The complaint concluded that “there is probable cause to believe that the Defendants have violated 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2314 (Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property and Conspiracy).”
