Six watches stolen from Los Angeles actor Keanu Reeves were handed over to the FBI this week at the US embassy, nearly 9,000 kilometres, and returned to its owners.
The discovery of the gorgeous watch was “situational,” the embassy said it happened during a broader police investigation into the robbery of a home in the eastern part of the Chilean capital. Authorities were targeting criminal groups, but they never imagined the impact would extend to Hollywood.
“In 2023, the gang was committing robbery crimes. As they were fenced and widely reported for the violence (cases) used, some of these individuals migrated and began committing crimes overseas using the same tricks. Balas explained that if the gang tried to break into an empty house, they would act violently.
During the operation and the attack, investigators found one of the suspects at the house of the commune in Penaloren. There, we found some valuable items, including watches.
“One of the detectives who liked the John Wick movie series managed to recognize the item,” Ballas said. “He was reading stories about (stunt) doubles. Each one was given a clock. We followed them and actually played the game,” he added.
In 2021, Reeves presented the Rolex submarine to the stunt crew he worked with in John Wick: Chapter 4. Each had his name on his back with a caption. “Thank you, JW4, 2021, John Wick Five.”
Prosecutor Claudia Balaza said at the embassy’s handover ceremony there was no evidence that the criminal group that broke into Reeves’s home was the same as the one that brought their watch to Chile.
But Ballas pointed out that authorities seized a cell phone used by individuals allegedly robbed. With that device, they found photos taken in the US showing the watch, gun and the actor’s driver’s license in question.
Ballas said that due to legal issues, he had to wait for the actor to make sure he was his possessions and recognized them from photos from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Ironically, in John Wick Saga, Reeves plays the original hitman in search of revenge after his house was robbed (and his dog was killed). However, the 2023 incident is not the only intrusion the movie star has experienced. In 2014, months before the release of the series’ first film, Los Angeles police reported two break-ins at home in three days, but no robbery was reported in these cases.
According to Hugo Hager, assistant director of Chilean police and criminal investigations, the 2023 robbery was believed to have resulted in Reeves’ losses of $7 million.
CNN has contacted the FBI for details on the case.
Varas says it is “always” coordinated with security agencies in other countries. This includes exchanging information.
One aspect of the investigation is determining how the stolen items entered Chile. The lieutenant governor has shown that gangs most commonly use the parcel system or send items through tourists with no criminal history. Therefore, the clock could have easily passed airport security on the wrists of travelers who did not raise any doubt.
“Watches are valuable possessions. There are people who are dedicated to collecting them. If it’s a brand, it’s important to be unique or it’s a well-known actor, they want that even more,” Balas said. For Reeves’ Rolex Submariner, this model is offered at its official store for over $10,000, but with the actor’s name on the black market, it’s even more valuable.
The fates of other suspicious gang members vary. The brother of the Los Angeles robber perpetrator was convicted of robbery in blackmail and customs fraud. Another suspect, Balas, said he died in a conflict between criminal gangs. Investigators also said that one person traveled to the United States and continued to commit crimes, while another traveled to Argentina where he was arrested for a home robbery in Buenos Aires.
“Unfortunately, we export this type of crime, but we also provide information to law enforcement agencies,” Balas said.
In December, Sheriff Mike Bouchard told Fox 2 that the Chilean “very well trained” was responsible, following the robbery of a home in a wealthy area of Oakland County, Michigan. He demanded that participation in Chile’s visa waiver program be put to an end. This allows citizens to enter the United States without a visa for travelling up to 90 days for tourism and business. His comments sparked a stir in the South American country.
During his recent visit to Chile, Homeland Security Director Christi Noem signed a letter of intent to expand biometric identification with Chile, claiming it was necessary to track off criminals. Regarding visas, she said, “The continued cooperation with Chile’s visa waiver program is invaluable to our country and we are grateful for their partnership in that respect.”
Meanwhile, Blaine Freestone, the assistant law accompaniment to the US Embassy, was responsible for personally presenting the watch to Reeves, emphasizing that “justice is being delivered to victims of cross-border crimes thanks to continued cooperation with Chilean authorities.”
Varas argued that the Visa Waiver Program would generate continued cooperation from law enforcement. “They need our information,” he said.
