Migrant bandits who robbed Travis Kelce, Joe…
BUENOS AIRES –– Two migrant bandits who had been allegedly behind a sequence of high profile robberies of NFL stars, including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, are finally 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, back to the US for prosecution, The Post can reveal.
They fled the nation after their brazen break-ins, which focused the properties of soccer gamers while they had been on the street, according to federal authorities.
Three of the alleged burglars and a fourth unknown individual pose with watches believed to have been stolen from Bucks ahead Bobby Portis Jr.’s Wisconsin home in an image launched by the FBI. U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida
The roving robbers had been arrested in Buenos Aires in May after plying their commerce at the home of former Argentine tennis champion Juan Martín Del Potro’s home, stealing jewellery, medals and rackets, cops said.
They are wished on conspiracy costs in the US in connection to an worldwide crime ring that stole from the properties of Kelce, Mahomes, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, NBA ahead Bobby Portis and other sports activities stars.
“The extradition process has officially begun,” said protection attorney Florencia Barba, who is representing both males.
“The protection has not yet been summoned by the choose. 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, including money and luxurious jewellery, watches and designer luggage, prosecutors allege.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs give a speech in the workforce huddle prior to an NFL soccer sport against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Getty Images
None of the victims had been named but the dates and circumstances matched widely reported break-ins at the properties of the celebs.
The thefts made headlines in 2024 when Kelce and Mahomes’ properties had been both ransacked as they had been away from home 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, along with an FBI affidavit which describes both suspects as members of a “South American theft group,” to Argentinian choose Sebastián Ramos, according to a well-placed official source.
Items stolen from Taylor Swift’s then-boyfriend Kelce reportedly included the jersey he wore in his first Super Bowl win with the Chiefs. WXYZ
The criticism against 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 over the US, the gang was charged in Florida after at least one housebreaking happened there at the home of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers participant in in October 2024.
On at least one event, one of the conspirators rented a vehicle in Florida, took it across state strains and returned to the Sunshine State, according to the criticism.
The seven defendants in the US case are charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis reacts after scoring during the second half at the Barclays Center on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Noah Ok. Murray-NY Post
Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut are also charged with aggravated theft by pressured entry in Argentina and stay remanded in custody in the infamous most security Marcos Paz prison in Buenos Aires province, which is thought to home major drug traffickers and intercourse offenders.
Under Argentine law, they might face 3 to 10 years in prison if discovered guilty.
Former US Open winner Del Potro’s home in the Don Bosco space of Tandil, in Buenos Aires province, was ransacked in broad daylight on May 15, cops said.
The thieves took a gold chain, wedding ceremony ring, tennis rackets and sports activities watches, according to investigators.
Two other Chilean males and an Argentinean man had been also reportedly arrested in connection with the theft at Del Potro’s property.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow talks during a press convention at the end of training camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Cincinnati, OH. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Prosecutors consider Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut entered Argentina in April, with case sources saying the evidence against them is “robust to say the least”.
The request for them to be remanded in custody included CCTV footage allegedly displaying the gang returning from the housebreaking and photos of the stolen items discovered on their telephones.
There had been also alleged textual content messages warning other members of the gang that Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut had been arrested.
Under Argentine law, defendants must have their issues in that nation dealt with before any extradition request may be fulfilled.
Their protection lawyer Barba told The Post that the method might take “up to 2 years”.
The Post requested the Department of Justice for remark.
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