Following an alarming nationwide series of home burglaries targeting some of the most prominent names in sports, a significant update has emerged in the investigation. Seven men have now been charged in connection with the high-profile burglaries, further unraveling a criminal operation that specifically targeted the homes of professional athletes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida unsealed a criminal complaint on Tuesday February 18, 2025, revealing the identities of the suspects and detailing the scale of the thefts that spanned across multiple states.
The charges come as the investigation, initially prompted by the shocking break-ins that affected stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, and Bobby Portis Jr., has evolved into one of the most extensive and complex criminal probes in recent memory. Originally filed on January 30, the complaint outlines how these men allegedly orchestrated a spree of burglaries that not only stole millions of dollars in luxury goods from the athletes but also implicated other major sports figures and their families.
Burglary Spree Across the Country
In the wake of the first wave of break-ins, it was clear that a highly coordinated operation had been at play. As the investigation continued, more victims came to light. In addition to the high-profile athletes such as Mahomes, Kelce, Burrow, and Portis, several other professional sports figures had their homes targeted during the same period, including NBA players Mike Conley, Linval Joseph, and even Celtics player Jaylen Brown’s mother. In early February, the break-in at the home of French soccer star Olivier Giroud, who plays for LAFC, also became part of the investigation.
The charges now provide an even clearer picture of the audacity of these crimes. The burglars allegedly stole significant sums from their victims, with some losses totaling millions of dollars. For example, the investigation revealed that $1.5 million worth of property was taken from Portis’ home, $300,000 from Burrow’s residence, and $167,000 from the Buccaneers player. In a distressing development for Mahomes and Kelce, both saw goods worth at least $5,000 stolen—just enough to invoke federal jurisdiction due to interstate transportation of the stolen items.
The stolen goods included luxury watches, jewelry, and other high-value items, many of which were photographed and shared by the suspects, adding crucial evidence to the case. Investigators uncovered images of the burglars posing with items they had stolen, including one individual wearing a Kansas City Chiefs shirt and others holding watches taken from Portis’ home.
The Arrests and Investigative Breakthroughs
The seven men facing federal charges have been identified as Pablo Zuniga Cartes, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, Bastian Orellano Morales, Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, and Sergio Ortega Cabello. According to the criminal complaint, all seven are from Chile, and five of them are between 20 and 24 years old. Their arrest marks the culmination of a collaborative investigation involving federal agencies, local law enforcement, and international cooperation.
The investigation used a combination of cutting-edge techniques to trace the men’s movements. Authorities gathered evidence from cell tower data, hotel rental records, car rental registrations, iCloud search warrants, and security camera footage. The breakthrough came when investigators linked burner phones, images shared between the suspects, and even traces of LSU and Bengals apparel worn by some of the men before their arrests in Ohio.
Two additional suspects, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, were arrested earlier in New York, charged with similar burglaries. Investigators revealed that their phone usage connected them to two of the men arrested in Ohio, further expanding the scope of the operation.
Law Enforcement’s Approach and International Collaboration
The investigation also highlighted the growing sophistication of criminal enterprises operating across national borders. The FBI, along with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and local law enforcement agencies, worked in tandem to piece together the crime ring.
In total, law enforcement agencies in seven different states, alongside multiple international agencies, collaborated in tracking down the suspects, who allegedly used multiple methods to evade capture. The joint effort represents a significant success in tackling organized crime targeting high-profile individuals.
Federal Charges and Potential Sentencing
With the unsealing of the criminal complaint, the seven men now face serious federal charges, including the interstate transport of stolen goods and racketeering. Each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison. For investigators, this development marks a major milestone in the ongoing investigation, which has uncovered a web of criminal activity stretching across the country.
As authorities continue to dig into the criminal activities of the suspects, the case serves as a stark reminder that no one, not even the wealthiest and most public figures, is immune to such crimes. The athletes whose homes were targeted, already enduring the stress of their careers, must now contend with the aftermath of this widespread burglary ring.
This update provides a view into the dedication of law enforcement in tracking down the individuals responsible for crimes and bringing them to justice. With federal charges now in play, the case is poised to become a significant milestone in the fight against organized crime in the United States.