Argentine authorities apprehended two Chilean individuals believed to be associated with an international criminal group that orchestrated break-ins at the residences of prominent athletes, including notable figures from the NBA and NFL. The arrest occurred at the Retiro bus station in Buenos Aires, as confirmed by the Argentine Federal Police in a recent statement.
The detained Chilean suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, are currently held in custody awaiting extradition proceedings requested by the United States. Local law enforcement revealed that the pair were part of a syndicate that specifically targeted the homes of high-profile athletes in both the U.S. and Argentina, among them NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as former tennis champion Juan Martin Del Potro.
Notable NBA players such as Luka Doncic and Mike Conley Jr. were also among the targets of these organized crime activities. In response to the burglaries involving Mahomes and Kelce’s residences, the NFL issued a security alert to its teams and the players’ union in 2024.
According to the FBI, criminal groups from South America utilized publicly available information and social media platforms to monitor the routines and travel patterns of athletes. These groups employed sophisticated technology to circumvent alarm systems, disrupt wireless networks, deactivate security devices, evade surveillance cameras, and conceal their identities.
Valuables like jewelry, substantial amounts of cash, trophies, and medals were stolen from the athletes’ homes while they were away. Earlier this year, seven Chilean nationals faced charges in a Florida federal court for their involvement in a conspiracy to transport stolen goods across state lines, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.