Three Chilean Men Arrested in Argentina for Targeting NFL Stars in International Burglary Ring

Three Chilean men wanted in connection with an international burglary ring targeting professional athletes, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, have been arrested in Argentina, according to ABC News. The suspects, identified as Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, Bastian Jimenez Freraut and Pablo Zuniga Cartes, were taken into custody by Argentine authorities, though officials have not released full details on the timing or location of the arrests, the outlet reported Tuesday. The case is tied to break-ins at the homes of Mahomes and Kelce in early October 2024. Burglars allegedly stole about $20,000 in cash from Kelce’s home, along with luxury jewelry, a watch, and personal items, including sentimental memorabilia such as his first Super Bowl jersey, The Sun reported. Federal court documents do not break out the value of items taken from Mahomes’ home individually, but indicate that the combined losses from both residences exceeded $5,000. This group also allegedly targeted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose home was burglarized in December 2024, where they allegedly made off with nearly $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches, glasses and jewelry. The incidents are linked to a South American theft ring involving seven defendants charged in a 2025 federal complaint. The group conspired to transport stolen property across state lines as part of a coordinated burglary operation that specifically targeted the homes of high-profile professional athletes in the U.S., including both NFL and NBA players, prosecutors allege. The suspects would track athletes’ schedules and carry out break-ins while they were away for games or other team obligations, according to court filings cited by ABC News. In total, the theft ring stole more than $2 million worth of valuables, prosecutors estimate. The complaint also includes photos allegedly showing three suspects alongside a fourth person posing with a safe and jewelry taken shortly after a burglary at Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis’ home. The theft group is also linked to burglaries involving players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Memphis Grizzlies, according to the FBI. Other athletes reported as victims of similar burglaries include Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić and Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell. Another defendant in the case, Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, has already pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11.