The audacity of criminals targeting our sports icons in their sanctuaries is striking, as the police have now arrested a suspect for burglarizing athletes’ homes.
See the tweet below!
Earl Henderson Riley IV, a 21-year-old Seattle man, faces charges of four counts of residential burglary and one count of first-degree robbery after a series of break-ins at the homes of notable professional athletes in the Seattle area.
From February onwards, Riley targeted the homes of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo, and former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
These alarming intrusions shook not only the athletes but also their communities and fans, CBS News reports.
Riley’s alleged crimes included the theft of over $304,000 worth of designer bags, high-end jewelry, and luxury items.
Amazingly, nothing was stolen from Blake Snell’s home, marking an unusual exception in this string of burglaries.
An attempted burglary at baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez’s home adds to this criminal spree’s alarming narrative.
“All people deserve to feel safe in their homes, and our office will continue to hold people accountable for criminal behavior,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion
Such circumstances fit into a broader pattern of professional athletes being targeted for their high-end possessions.
The FBI and athletic leagues have issued warnings amidst rising concerns about organized crime rings employing sophisticated techniques against athletes.
Coordination between six police jurisdictions and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office helped identify Riley, the alleged “ringleader” of this network.
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff noted, “We still want to go and identify everybody who was involved and see if there are additional people that we can have sufficient evidence to charge.”
“House being robbed at gunpoint with my family in it isn’t what anyone wants for a birthday gift. Scary situation that my wife handled masterfully and kept my kids safe. If anyone has any info that can help find these people, please reach out,” said Richard Sherman, cited by USA Today.
Currently, Riley remains held on a $1 million bail as the investigation continues, with additional charges considered for other individuals involved.
This situation underscores the importance of law enforcement agencies collaborating efficiently to disrupt such syndicates actively preying on prominent figures in our communities.
A Seattle man was charged Friday with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent current and former football and baseball players, marking the latest example of well-known athletes being targeted in home thefts. https://t.co/ZNmuzP4riI
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2025
