Category - Sports
First Arrests Made in Pro Athlete Burglary String
The FBI has been working in tandem with the NBA and NFL in recent months after several pro athletes' homes were broken into by burglars. Now, the first arrests have been made in this string of burglaries stretching across the country.
According to police documents obtained by WLWT, four Chilean nationals have been arrested in Clark County, Ohio in connection to the home robbery of Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow last month. Alexander Chavez, Bastian Morales, Jordan Sanchez and Sergio Cabello were arrested as part of "an ongoing investigation involving burglaries of multi-million dollar homes in multiple states" and face various charges including participating in a criminal gang, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, obstructing official business and possession of criminal tools.
The arrests come after the FBI issued a warning to NBA and NFL officials breaking down the dangers of these incidents. The agency specifically noted concern for "transnational South American Theft Groups ('SATGs')."
"These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices," NBA Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer Leon Newsome related to league officials. "The SATGs are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags. The FBI reported that, in most of the incidents, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated. The FBI also reported that the homes were all unoccupied and, in most cases, no dogs were present."
Related: NBA, NFL Issue Safety Warnings to Players After String of Thefts
Whether you're an NFL quarterback or an everyday person, home security is always worth taking seriously.