In a shocking twist, three Chilean men are facing federal charges for allegedly breaking into the home of NFL star Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. According to a federal criminal complaint filed last week, the suspects took a selfie with some of the stolen items, including a distinctive jeweled necklace bearing Burrow’s initials, “JB9,” and a Nike swoosh, as well as a diamond necklace with the number “9”—a nod to Burrow’s jersey number. Authorities say the men posed with these items, along with other stolen luxury goods, in a photo found on one of their phones. This brazen act of theft and the subsequent investigation have shed light on a growing trend of organized crime targeting the homes of professional athletes.
The burglary occurred on December 9, 2022, while Burrow was away in Texas playing a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. His residence in Cincinnati was broken into despite the presence of a security detail. The suspects allegedly entered through a broken master bedroom window, evading the security team stationed in the driveway. Investigators estimate the theft occurred between 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., with the burglars likely approaching from the woods behind the house. A trail camera captured a person carrying what appeared to be stolen luggage around 7:18 p.m., further solidifying the timeline. The stolen items, valued at approximately $300,000, included designer luggage, glasses, watches, and jewelry.
The investigation into the burglary has revealed a larger pattern of organized theft targeting high-profile athletes. The suspects—Jordan Francisco Quiroga Sanchez, 22; Bastian Alejandro Orellana Morales, 23; and Sergio Andres Ortega Cabello, 38—are believed to be part of a South American theft group that has been linked to several burglaries across the United States. These groups, often made up of individuals who enter the country illegally or overstay their visas, target luxury homes near undeveloped land, allowing them to approach undetected. They typically operate by breaking in through rear windows or glass doors and focus on stealing jewelry and designer accessories. The suspects in Burrow’s case were reportedly traveling in rented vehicles and carrying false identification documents.
The FBI’s investigation led to the arrest of the three men, who now face federal charges of transporting stolen goods interstate and falsifying records. Additionally, they were indicted by an Ohio grand jury last month for their alleged involvement in a string of burglaries targeting multimillion-dollar homes. The federal operation to apprehend the suspects was part of a broader effort to combat these organized theft groups, which have been linked to break-ins at the homes of other professional athletes, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and NBA players Luka Doncic, Mike Conley Jr., and Bobby Portis. Authorities believe this case is just the tip of the iceberg, with more individuals and networks likely involved in these crimes.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators connected the suspects to the burglary through a combination of surveillance, vehicle tracking, and forensic analysis. On January 10, the Ohio State Highway Patrol pulled over a vehicle carrying the four men, who were found to be in the country illegally or overstaying their visas. A search of the vehicle uncovered stolen items, including an LSU shirt and a Bengals hat believed to have been taken from Burrow’s home. Burrow, a former LSU star, won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and a national championship with the university. Additionally, detectives found tools used for breaking glass, which are consistent with the methods used in the burglary. A forensic analysis of one of the suspect’s phones revealed deleted photos of stolen items, including a picture of Burrow’s house.
The case has highlighted the growing concern of organized theft groups targeting professional athletes and high-net-worth individuals. U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker emphasized the importance of holding these criminals accountable, stating, “Our investigation remains ongoing as these individuals seem to be the alleged tip of the iceberg of South American Theft Groups committing crimes throughout our district and elsewhere.” Parker also celebrated the progress made by law enforcement, saying, “Today is a day that law enforcement scored and spiked the ball.” The arrests have sent a strong message to criminal networks that authorities are actively working to dismantle their operations. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how far-reaching the impact of these theft groups is and how many more victims they may have targeted. For now, the recovery of stolen items and the apprehension of the suspects bring a measure of relief to Burrow and other affected athletes.
