Migrant bandits who robbed Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow throughout NFL away video games set to face US justice

BUENOS AIRES –– Two migrant bandits who had been allegedly behind a collection of excessive profile robberies of NFL stars, together with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, are lastly set to face the American justice system.

Federal prosecutors in Florida have formally requested Argentina to extradite Chilean nationals Ignacio Zúñiga Cartés, 21, and Bastián Jiménez Freraut, 28, again to the US for prosecution, The Post can reveal.

They fled the nation after their brazen break-ins, which focused the houses of soccer gamers whereas they had been on the highway, in line with federal authorities.

The roving robbers had been arrested in Buenos Aires in May after plying their commerce on the residence of former Argentine tennis champion Juan Martín Del Potro’s residence, stealing jewellery, medals and rackets, cops stated.

They are needed on conspiracy fees within the US in connection to a global crime ring that stole from the houses of Kelce, Mahomes, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, NBA ahead Bobby Portis and different sports activities stars.

“The extradition process has officially begun,” stated protection lawyer Florencia Barba, who’s representing each males.

“The protection has not but been summoned by the decide. My defendants have the desire to collaborate with the justice system, which doesn’t indicate an acknowledgement of any wrongdoing.

“We want the Argentine justice system to review the US request properly, and to determine if it has been done according to law and due process, before any extradition occurs.”

The theft gang stole a minimal of virtually $3 million in complete, together with money and luxurious jewellery, watches and designer baggage, prosecutors allege.

None of the victims had been named however the dates and circumstances matched broadly reported break-ins on the houses of the celebrities.

The thefts made headlines in 2024 when Kelce and Mahomes’ houses had been each ransacked as they had been away from residence to play the New Orleans Saints.

Items stolen from Taylor Swift’s then-boyfriend Kelce reportedly included the jersey he wore in his first Super Bowl win with the Chiefs.

The extradition request to the Argentinean authorities was signed by Assistant US Attorney Daniel Baeza and Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli for the Middle District of Florida.

It was forwarded, together with an FBI affidavit which describes each suspects as members of a “South American theft group,” to Argentinian decide Sebastián Ramos, in line with a well-placed official supply.

The grievance in opposition to Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut –– filed in January 2025 –– alleges that the housebreaking crew timed their break-ins to coincide with athletes’ away video games between October and December 2024.

Despite allegedly working all around the US, the gang was charged in Florida after not less than one housebreaking befell there on the residence of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers participant in in October 2024.

On not less than one event, one of many conspirators rented a car in Florida, took it throughout state traces and returned to the Sunshine State, in line with the grievance.

The seven defendants within the US case are charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.

Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut are additionally charged with aggravated theft by pressured entry in Argentina and stay remanded in custody within the infamous most safety Marcos Paz jail in Buenos Aires province, which is understood to accommodate main drug traffickers and intercourse offenders.

Under Argentine legislation, they might face 3 to 10 years in jail if discovered responsible.

Former US Open winner Del Potro’s residence within the Don Bosco space of Tandil, in Buenos Aires province, was ransacked in broad daylight on May 15, cops stated.

The thieves took a gold chain, wedding ceremony ring, tennis rackets and sports activities watches, in line with investigators.

Two different Chilean males and an Argentinean man had been additionally reportedly arrested in reference to the theft at Del Potro’s property.

Prosecutors imagine Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut entered Argentina in April, with case sources saying the proof in opposition to them is “robust to say the least”.

The request for them to be remanded in custody included CCTV footage allegedly displaying the gang coming back from the housebreaking and footage of the stolen items discovered on their telephones.

There had been additionally alleged textual content messages warning different members of the gang that Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut had been arrested.

Under Argentine legislation, defendants will need to have their issues in that nation handled earlier than any extradition request may be fulfilled.

Their protection lawyer Barba informed The Post that the method may take “up to 2 years”.

The Post requested the Department of Justice for remark.