Men suspected in Joe Burrow's home break-in caught with ‘JB9′ chain, FBI reveals

Yahoo

05-02-2025

A federal grand jury in Cincinnati has formally charged three Chilean men who allegedly burglarized the home of a local NFL player on Dec. 9, 2024, according to the office of Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney of the Southern District of Ohio.
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Jordan Sanchez, 22, Bastian Morales, 23, and Sergio Cabello, 38, were indicted on interstate transportation of stolen property and falsification of records in a federal investigation charges on Feb. 3 in US District Court.
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As previously reported by News Center 7, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's house was burglarized on Dec. 9, 2024, while he was in Dallas playing the Cowboys.
The three men are believed to be part of a South American Theft Group transporting stolen goods interstate and falsifying records in a federal investigation, according to the office.
'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 said. 'We owe it to the victims, whether they are or are not professional athletes, to follow the evidence into these alleged criminal networks and hold the law-breakers accountable. I cannot thank our law enforcement partners enough for their commitment to working together to track down these perpetrators. Today is a day that law enforcement scored and spiked the ball.'
According to court documents, authorities were called to the NFL player's house around 8:14 p.m. on Dec. 9 on reports of a burglary.
An associate of the homeowner was dropped off at the house just before 8 p.m. and found that the rooms were 'unusually messy' and a primary bedroom window had been broken.
Authorities believe that the burglary occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the office.
At approximately 6 p.m. the security detail at the house had a shift change. The security personnel walked around the house, but no windows appeared to be broken at the time.
Investigators discovered a trail camera image of a man carrying a luggage and walking through the wooded area behind the home, the office said.
Authorities tracked the men in various states after the burglary but found the vehicle at the La Quinta hotel on University Boulevard in Fairborn.
As previously reported by News Center 7, the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped the car on I-70 in Clark County for a traffic violation.
According to the office, a phone analysis found that Cabello reportedly deleted photos of the stolen items and the back of the victim's house during the traffic stop with OSHP, ultimately falsifying records in a federal investigation.
'Additional cell phone analysis revealed other photos of the defendants in southeast Florida days after the burglary with luxury luggage and wearing the stolen jewelry,' the office said.
>> PHOTOS: Items believed to be taken on same day as Joe Burrow home break-in
A photo released by FBI Cincinnati shows one of the men wearing a 'JB9″ chain and several designer bags.
The office said troopers located punch tools to break glass, an old Louisiana State University shirt, and a Cincinnati Bengals hat believed to be stolen from the victim's house.
OSHP body camera footage obtained by News Center 7 shows troopers searching the vehicle and finding the sports memorabilia.
The men were arrested at the time of the traffic stop.
Interstate transportation of stolen property is punishable by up to 10 years and falsification of records in a federal investigation carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, according to the office.
The local and state charges the men are facing are still pending.
'South American Theft Groups have been a major concern in the Cincinnati area,' said FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. 'We appreciate the partnerships of all the agencies involved in the Southwest Ohio South American Theft Group Task Force for their hard work on this investigation.'
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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