Four Chilean nationals were arrested in Ohio earlier this month in connection with a string of burglaries targeting high-end homes, including an alleged break-in at the residence of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in December 2024. The arrests, made on January 10, took place in Fairborn, where the suspects were leaving a local hotel. Court documents suggest that evidence, including items believed to have been stolen from Burrow’s home, was found in the suspects’ vehicle.
The investigation into these burglaries has gained widespread attention, as these crimes seem to be part of a larger network of organized burglaries targeting multimillion-dollar homes across the United States. Authorities have linked these burglaries to a group of South American burglars, often referred to as “tourist burglars.” This criminal group takes advantage of the visa waiver program to enter the United States legally, and then travel across the country to rob wealthy neighborhoods.
The arrested individuals – Jordan Francisco Sanchez (22), Bastian Alejandro Morales (23), Sergio Andres Cabello (38), and Alexander Esteban Chavez (age unknown) – were found with several stolen items, including a Bengals cap and an LSU shirt, both believed to have been taken during the December 9 burglary in Hamilton County.
Authorities stated that these men were in the U.S. on temporary visas, but were illegally staying beyond their allowed time. Investigators also noted that the men had been under investigation for weeks. They were arrested after a detailed operation led police to identify them through surveillance footage and cell data connected to the burglary.
Tourist Burglars: South American Criminal Groups on the Move
According to court records, the burglary group has been active in several states, targeting wealthy communities and often operating under the radar. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), along with federal agencies, have been working on a task force to crack down on these kinds of organized crimes. The investigation has revealed that similar criminal groups, mainly consisting of South American nationals, have been involved in a series of burglaries across the United States.
These suspects often operate like “tourist burglars,” entering the country legally through temporary visas or the Visa Waiver Program, which allows people from countries like Chile to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days. Once in the U.S., these criminals travel across multiple states to target affluent neighborhoods where expensive homes are an easy target.
Investigators have identified at least six South American groups involved in similar activities, five of which were made up of Chilean nationals. In this case, all four men arrested were either in the country illegally or had overstayed their visas.
Detailed Investigation and Arrest
The investigation leading to the arrests of these men was a result of weeks of surveillance, phone tracking, and footage analysis. Officers were able to link one of the suspects, Morales, to the crime by matching his clothing and a luxury duffel bag he was carrying. Additionally, the investigation used cell data to track the suspects’ movements, which helped investigators identify their connection to the December burglary.
Upon stopping the suspects outside a hotel, the police were able to connect the men to the December burglary using phone records. Officers also noticed that the suspects’ bags and clothing were similar to those seen in footage from a separate investigation in Miami, Florida. During questioning, three of the men, including Sanchez, Morales, and Cabello, lied about their identities, claiming they were simply in Ohio to see the snow.
The group was found to be carrying several cell phones, which are often used to coordinate burglaries, as well as automatic center punch tools, which are used to break glass and gain access to homes.
What’s Next for the Arrested Group?
As of now, each of the four suspects is being held on a $250,000 bond at the Clark County Jail. They are facing serious charges, including engaging in a pattern of criminal activity, participating in a criminal gang, possessing criminal tools, and obstructing justice. All of these charges are felonies.
Sanchez, Morales, and Cabello are expected to appear before a grand jury. If indicted, their cases will move to a higher court for further proceedings. Chavez, who cooperated more with investigators, is also listed in the case, but there is some confusion about the details of his case, as his documents were not available at the time of reporting.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to probe the connections between this burglary group and other similar cases across the United States.
Potential Impact of This Investigation
This case is part of a larger effort by law enforcement to curb organized crime groups that target affluent neighborhoods across the U.S. By cracking down on these “tourist burglars,” investigators hope to prevent further crimes and bring justice to victims who have experienced these traumatic break-ins.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
