Seattle — A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of burglaries targeting the homes of several well-known athletes in the Seattle area. Earl Henderson Riley IV faces multiple charges of residential burglary, which includes crimes committed in both occupied and unoccupied homes. He was identified as the suspected ringleader in a string of thefts that began in February, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The incidents were notably bold, with Riley allegedly stealing over $6,000 in luxury Louis Vuitton bags from Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo’s home. In another burglary, he is accused of taking more than $194,000 worth of high-end purses and jewelry from Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. Furthermore, the former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman had his home targeted, where several watches valued at more than $100,000 were taken. A burglary was also attempted at the residence of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, although no items were stolen in that case. Court documents also indicate that there was an attempted break-in at the home of baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez.
Officials have expressed their concern over these crimes, especially as they seem to reflect a worrying trend of targeting professional athletes. “All people deserve to feel safe in their homes, and our office will continue to hold people accountable for criminal behavior,” stated King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.
The incidents highlight a growing issue, as athletes across the U.S. have recently been victims of burglaries, often presumed to be targeted for their valuable possessions. The FBI has alerted sports leagues about organized crime groups that focus on professional athletes. In response, both the NFL and NBA have issued security warnings. A memo circulated by the NFL noted that athletes’ homes have become increasingly appealing targets for skilled burglary teams.
Riley is currently being held in the King County Jail with a bail set at $1 million. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation, as the local public defense department did not immediately respond to inquiries. Following a lengthy investigation involving multiple police jurisdictions, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff confirmed that efforts to identify additional suspects involved are ongoing.
Riley is expected to enter his initial plea during his arraignment, scheduled for June 16. He also faces another pending case in King County Superior Court related to charges of attempting to evade police and unlawful possession of a firearm.
