Four Arrested in Ohio Amid Probe of Upscale Burglaries
Chilean Nationals Linked to Nationwide Burglaries at Homes of Rich and Famous
Four men from Chile have been charged in an ongoing investigation of nationwide burglaries at the homes of the rich and sometimes famous, according to court documents.
Hamilton County, Ohio Break-In
The four have been linked to a Dec. 9 burglary in Hamilton County, Ohio, authorities say in the filing, a time and place that coincide with a break-in at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Though the documents did not name Burrow as a victim, a Bengals hat allegedly stolen during that December break-in was spotted by detectives in an SUV used by the suspects, the documents say.
Ohio Attorney General’s Announcement
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that a grand jury returned an indictment against the four in court Tuesday. It includes charges of corrupt activity, participation in a criminal gang and possessing burglary tools, according to a statement. He credited the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force, which his office launched last year to investigate the break-ins.
Suspects’ Identification and Charges
The original criminal complaint includes those charges, as well as obstructing investigators, according to the local case filed in Springfield municipal court on Jan. 13. Authorities alleged in the filing that three of the four presented fake identification to police.
Investigation and Evidence
Investigators say an LSU football shirt believed to have been taken in the Dec. 9 burglary was also spotted in the Chevrolet SUV after Ohio State Police stopped it on Interstate 70 on Jan. 10 during an investigation of the burglaries, according to the initial filings. Burrow graduated from Louisiana State University, where he played his final two seasons of college football.
Suspects’ Motives and Alleged Crimes
A cellphone one of the four, Bastian Alejandro Morales, 23, was alleged to possess was determined to have been in the area of the Dec. 9 home burglary, and he was previously spotted in a Volkswagen SUV seen in the area of the burglary, investigators said in the Jan. 13 court documents.
Other Victims of Burglaries
Since the start of 2024, athletes who have been victimized by residential break-ins include Burrow, Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Don
ić, and the fiancée of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Suspects’ Legal Status and Pleas
The four suspects, arrested and booked into Clark County Jail, were identified as Morales; Sergio Andres Cabello, 38; Jordan Francisco Sanchez, 22; and Alejandro Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, 24. The documents described all of them as Chileans who were alleged to have “overstayed their permissions.” They were initially detained for being in the country illegally, authorities said in the documents.
Conclusion
The investigation and arrest of the four Chilean nationals highlights the ongoing problem of transnational crime groups targeting wealthy individuals and celebrities. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Visa Waiver Program and the need for stricter background checks for visitors from certain countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the four suspects arrested in Ohio?
A: The four suspects are Bastian Alejandro Morales, 23; Sergio Andres Cabello, 38; Jordan Francisco Sanchez, 22; and Alejandro Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, 24, all from Chile.
Q: What are the charges against the suspects?
A: The suspects are charged with corrupt activity, participation in a criminal gang, and possessing burglary tools, as well as obstructing investigators.
Q: What is the motive behind the burglaries?
A: The motive appears to be financial gain, with the suspects targeting the homes of wealthy individuals and celebrities.
Q: How did the investigation lead to the arrests?
A: The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force, which launched last year to investigate the break-ins. The task force was able to track the suspects’ movements and link them to the burglaries through surveillance and forensic evidence.
