Seven men have been charged in connection with a nationwide spree of burglaries targeting high-profile athletes, including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. The men are accused of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, with the complaint naming four new defendants in addition to three previously connected to the investigation. The defendants are part of a South American burglary crew from Chile.
Four of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to initial charges in Ohio related to participating in criminal activity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges the criminals were involved in burglaries that resulted in the theft of $2 million in goods, including the homes of NFL and NBA players.
The burglaries included thefts from the homes of Kansas City Chiefs players, a Milwaukee Bucks player, and a Cincinnati Bengals player, among others. The defendants were connected to various break-ins that targeted athletes while they were away or playing games. The office suggested that the burglaries were part of a trend that targeted wealthy individuals across the country.
Similar cases involving South American criminal crews targeting the homes of celebrities and athletes have been investigated nationwide. Authorities have warned athletes about the risks of burglary tourism and the ease with which criminals can enter the United States. The ESTA Visa Waiver program has been highlighted as a potential loophole that allows criminals to enter the country without thorough background checks, contributing to the rise in such crimes.
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