Three Arrested in International Athlete Burglary Ring, May 27

Argentine federal police arrested three Chilean nationals in connection with an international burglary ring that targeted homes of NFL and NBA players between 2024 and 2025. The suspects, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut, and Pablo Zuniga Cartes, face U.S. federal charges for break-ins at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, plus other high-profile athletes. The group stole over $2 million in cash, jewelry, watches, and sentimental items while athletes were away for games.

How the Ring Targeted Athletes

The burglary crew used publicly available game schedules and social media to track when athletes were out of town. They would break windows or pry open sliding doors with crowbars, then steal valuables inside. Argentine police arrested suspects after linking two of them to a burglary at tennis player Juan Martín del Potro’s home earlier this month.

The group had a clear pattern. They targeted homes during away games and used technology to bypass alarm systems, block wireless connections, and disable security cameras. Victims included Mahomes, Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis, and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.

What Was Stolen

Burglars took approximately $20,000 in cash from Kelce’s home along with luxury jewelry, watches, and his first Super Bowl jersey. From Portis’s home in November 2024, they stole $1.5 million worth of watches, chains, jewelry, designer bags, and personal items. Three men were arrested after investigators recovered an iCloud photo showing suspects posing with a damaged safe and stolen jewelry inside Portis’s home.

From Joe Burrow’s home in December 2024, the group took nearly $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches, glasses, and jewelry. In total, prosecutors estimate the ring stole more than $2 million across all targeted residences.

Federal Charges and Extradition

Seven defendants were charged in a February 2025 federal complaint with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines. The suspects now in custody face extradition to the United States to stand trial on these charges. One suspect, Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, already pleaded guilty in March and faces sentencing on June 11.

The NFL issued security alerts to teams and players’ unions after the October 2024 break-ins at Mahomes and Kelce’s homes. Federal investigators described the operation as a “South American Theft Group” with a consistent method of identifying targets and executing coordinated burglaries across multiple states.

Final Thoughts

The arrests mark progress in a 18-month investigation into organized international theft targeting U.S. athletes. With extradition proceedings underway, the suspects face federal charges that carry up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines.

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