In a shocking crime that took place while Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was away in Dallas for a game, three men were arrested for breaking into his home in Ohio. The incident occurred on December 9, when Burrow was busy leading his team to a victory against the Dallas Cowboys. The break-in was discovered later that evening, and authorities quickly started their investigation.
The three men, who are all from Chile, were arrested by local authorities in Ohio at the end of January. They have now been federally charged for their role in the robbery. The men, identified as Jordan Francisco Quiroga Sanchez (22), Bastian Alejandro Orellana Morales (23), and Sergio Andres Ortega Cabello (38), are accused of being part of a larger South American theft group.
The Crime
According to reports, the break-in took place in Hamilton County, Ohio, at Burrow’s residence. Around 8:14 p.m. on December 9, an associate of the homeowner found the house in disarray, with broken windows and signs of forced entry. The burglary was quickly reported to authorities. Investigators later discovered that more than $300,000 worth of valuables, including luggage, watches, jewelry, and glasses, had been stolen from the home.
At the time of the robbery, Burrow was in Dallas with his team. He later spoke out about the incident, expressing how violated he felt by the invasion of his privacy. “Obviously everybody has heard what has happened. I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one,” Burrow said in an interview two days after the break-in. He also mentioned that the public sharing of personal information was uncomfortable for him.
Investigation and Arrests
The FBI worked swiftly to identify the suspects involved. Using trail cameras, investigators were able to capture an image of a person carrying luggage near the property. A nearby license plate reader helped them track down the vehicle used during the crime, a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SUV. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Florida.
Further investigation led to the discovery that Cabello had leased the vehicle using a fake ID. After examining cellphone records and other evidence, authorities were able to identify the three men involved in the burglary. The suspects were arrested in Fairborn, Ohio, on January 10.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI’s investigation is still ongoing, as authorities believe these three men may only be a small part of a larger crime network. They are allegedly part of a group that has been involved in several similar thefts across the region. The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Kenneth L. Parker, mentioned that the investigation is continuing and that they are working to track down more members of the suspected South American theft group.
“We are actively investigating how these individuals are connected to other crimes in our district and beyond,” Parker said in a statement.
More Arrests and Charges
In addition to the three men arrested in Ohio, two other individuals were recently charged in connection with the stolen goods from Burrow’s home. These individuals, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, are accused of acting as “fences” – individuals who buy and sell stolen goods. They are said to have been involved in distributing the items stolen from Burrow’s home. Nezhinskiy and Villar were charged in Brooklyn, New York, and pleaded not guilty in federal court.
Investigators also found a large amount of stolen goods in a pawn shop owned by Nezhinskiy, as well as at storage units in New Jersey. The value of the stolen items found is estimated to be around $1.5 million, with the potential to reach up to $5 million.
The Bigger Picture
This case highlights a growing concern about international theft rings operating in the United States. These groups often target the homes of wealthy individuals, including professional athletes. The FBI’s investigation into the South American theft group continues, and authorities are working to ensure that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable.
Burrow’s burglary is just one example of how high-profile individuals have become prime targets for such theft groups. Despite the intrusion into his private life, Burrow and his team continue to focus on their game, and the investigation into the crime is far from over.
As this case unfolds, authorities are hopeful that they can track down other members of the criminal group and prevent future incidents from occurring.
(Source : nbcnewyork.com)