San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan coined the term "burglary tourism" when announcing the successful prosecution of criminals from Chile and Italy who had burglarized a Southern California home.

 This alarming trend continues to gain traction across the United States, with a new criminal complaint filed on January 30, 2025, against seven men accused of engaging in a nationwide burglary spree. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

 The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida alleges that the seven charged men, all from Chile, were part of an organized burglary crew responsible for stealing over $2 million in valuables.

Athletes Among the Victims of Organized Crime

Federal officials disclosed that the accused men targeted high-profile athletes, including NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, these burglaries were part of a larger operation affecting wealthy individuals across the country.

While officials did not directly name all victims, they confirmed that the residences of two Kansas City Chiefs players were burglarized on October 5 and October 7, 2024.

The FBI, NFL, and NBA have warned athletes about an increase in home burglaries and urged them to enhance security measures.

Exploiting a Visa Loophole

Todd Spitzer, the district attorney of Orange County, California, has been outspoken about flaws in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Spitzer argues that ESTA allows criminals from 42 countries to enter the U.S. multiple times.

“For the last 18 months, I have been sounding the alarm about a dangerous loophole in the ESTA Visa Waiver program that is being exploited by organized crime rings from Chile to enter the United States unlimited times over a two-year period without background checks,” Spitzer said in January.

“These criminals aren’t coming to the United States to visit Disneyland,” he added.

Coast-to-Coast Burglary Tourism

Authorities across the country, from San Diego to New York, are investigating and prosecuting similar cases tied to South American crime syndicates.

Four suspects pleaded not guilty to initial charges in Ohio, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, obstructing official business, and possessing criminal tools.

It remains unclear if the accused have obtained legal representation, as the federal public defender's office in Tampa did not respond to requests for comment.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Additional High-Profile Victims

Authorities believe the Florida burglary crew is connected to several high-profile break-ins across the United States:

• November 2, 2024: A Milwaukee Bucks player’s Wisconsin home was burglarized while he played in a game. Stolen items included luxury watches, jewelry, designer bags, a suitcase, cash, and a safe containing valuables worth approximately $1.5 million. The details correspond to a burglary at the residence of Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr.
• December 9, 2024: A Cincinnati Bengals player’s home was burglarized while he was in Arlington, Texas, playing against the Dallas Cowboys. An estimated $300,000 in goods were stolen. Reports indicate this corresponds to the burglary of quarterback Joe Burrow’s residence.
• December 20, 2024: A Memphis Grizzlies player’s home was targeted while he played a home game. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the athlete’s identity.
• October 21, 2024: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers player’s home was broken into. Thieves gained entry by breaking a window and stole jewelry, Rolex watches, a Louis Vuitton suitcase, and a firearm valued at over $167,000. The player’s identity has not been disclosed.

In each case, burglars struck while the athletes were away playing in professional games, making them prime targets for these sophisticated criminal operations.

The Growing Threat of Burglary Tourism

The rise in burglary tourism highlights vulnerabilities in the U.S. immigration and security systems, with criminal organizations exploiting legal loopholes to conduct organized theft. Law enforcement agencies are working to dismantle these networks, but the threat remains significant for high-profile individuals.

As investigations continue, officials urge professional athletes and wealthy individuals to reinforce home security, monitor financial transactions, and remain vigilant against these targeted attacks.