Star point guard Ja Morant was the target of a million-dollar heist that’s part of a massive crime spree targeting pro athletes across the country. The Memphis Grizzlies player’s home was hit by a sophisticated Chilean burglary ring that’s now facing federal charges.
The thieves made off with about $1 million in jewelry, watches, and luxury bags from Morant’s house on December 19, while he was leading the Grizzlies to a blowout win against Golden State.
Seven men from Chile are now in hot water with the feds. They’re accused of organizing break-ins at homes of some of sports’ biggest names, including NFL stars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow.
Morant hasn’t said anything about the burglary. When reporters tried to get his take before Thursday’s game in Indianapolis, he kept quiet.
The whole thing reads like something out of a heist movie. These guys weren’t just random burglars – they were part of an organized crew that had the FBI worried enough to warn sports leagues their players were being targeted.
Here’s where it gets wild: Some of these guys were actually taking victory photos with their stolen goods. The FBI complaint includes a picture of three suspects posing with a safe and jewelry they allegedly took from Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis’s home.
The crew was pretty methodical about it. They’d split into smaller groups to hit different houses, focusing on athletes because they figured that’s where the expensive stuff would be.
Their luck ran out in January when some of them got pulled over in Ohio. Police discovered they were in the country illegally after allegedly breaking into Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s place.
The seven suspects, all Chilean nationals ranging in age from 20 to 38, are now facing some serious time – up to 10 years in federal prison if they’re convicted.
For athletes like Morant, it’s a scary reminder that being a sports star can make you a target. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says they’re still working the case, chasing down leads to figure out exactly how these guys pulled it off.
The timing was particularly bold – they hit Morant’s house while he was playing in a home game that night, when the Grizzlies demolished the Warriors 144-93.
