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Seven migrants from Chile have been charged in connection with a nationwide spree of burglaries that victimized high-profile athletes, including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, federal officials said Tuesday.
A federal criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday reveals that, since around October 2024, the migrants have been targeting athletes from the NFL and NBA – breaking into their homes while the players were away competing in games.
According to the complaint, the suspects were members of a South American Theft Group (SATG).
“In many circumstances, professional sports teams will publicize their schedules and locations of their games, making it easy for the SATG to know when a particular athlete on a particular professional sports team will be away from his residence,” the complaint noted.
The complaint also mentions the burglaries of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, a Cincinnati Bengals player, and a Memphis Grizzlies player. Details of the names of the players were not immediately available.
Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22, Bastian Orellana Morales, 23, and Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38, all of Chile, are charged in the burglary of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home in December. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
The seven individuals were all charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Tuesday’s complaint comes more than a week after federal prosecutors named three of the seven men as suspects in the burglary of NFL player Joe Burrow’s home.
The seven individuals were all charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, each would face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Information on their attorneys in the federal case was not immediately available.
NFL security memo
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL issued a security alert to teams and the NFL Players Association, warning that professional athletes in different sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
Law enforcement officials said the suspects conduct extensive surveillance on their targets’ homes and have even posed as groundskeepers or joggers. Some have even attempted home deliveries.
The memo urged players to take special precautions, including installing home security systems. They were also encouraged not to post live updates of their comings and goings on social media or showcasing their expensive items online.
Fox News Digital’s Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.