FBI and Chilean Police Recovered $125,000 in Watches Stolen From Keanu

Six luxury watches stolen from actor Keanu Reeves’ Hollywood Hills home in December 2023 have been recovered and returned to him, the FBI confirmed. Among them was an engraved Rolex Submariner tied to his John Wick films, valued at roughly $9,500. The total value of the stolen watches was estimated at $125,000. Reeves sent a handwritten thank-you letter to the FBI and Chilean police, writing: “It is with profound gratitude and appreciation that I am writing this letter.”

How the Watches Were Recovered

The stolen watches surfaced in Santiago, Chile, approximately a year after the theft. Chilean police discovered them during a raid on homes linked to a South American theft group, alongside other stolen luxury items including cars, iPhones, and designer purses. The recovery was part of an FBI-coordinated operation known as “Operation Pennsylvania,” which targeted a network of Chilean nationals responsible for a string of high-end residential burglaries across the United States.

South American Theft Groups

The FBI has identified South American Theft Groups (SATGs) as a growing threat targeting high-net-worth individuals, including celebrities and professional athletes. These networks specialize in breaking into luxury homes while owners are away, then smuggling stolen goods across international borders to be sold in foreign markets. Operation Pennsylvania resulted in the arrest of 23 Chilean nationals. Many had no prior criminal records in Chile but were documented career criminals in the United States.

References: Keanu Reeves Has Stolen Items From Home Returned to Him, FBI Confirms | Chilean authorities recover Keanu Reeves’ stolen Rolex watches | Chilean police return $125K in luxury watches stolen from Keanu Reeves