Accused in Seattle break-ins at Macklemore's residence and those of renowned athletes denies charges brought against them
In a series of shocking incidents, Seattle has seen a trend of burglaries targeting well-known professional athletes, with the latest being the break-in at rapper Macklemore's home on June 7. A 29-year-old man named Patrick Maisonet has been charged with multiple offenses related to these break-ins, including the ones at Macklemore's and Ichiro Suzuki's residences.
According to police reports, Maisonet and another unidentified individual broke into Macklemore's home, using pepper spray on a 22-year-old nanny. The burglary occurred a day after Maisonet's accomplice, Earl Henderson Riley IV, was charged in some of the same break-ins that Maisonet has been charged in. It is believed that the athletes are targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes, and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.
The burglary at Macklemore's home mirrors the trend of such incidents across the U.S. in recent months. The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, who is from Washington, were among the athletes targeted. Snell had two Rolex watches stolen, each worth $75,000, and Macklemore also had some of his valuable items taken, including his Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders championship rings.
The investigation into these burglaries has been ongoing, with surveillance images and cellphone data helping to link Maisonet to the break-ins. On Feb. 9, Maisonet broke into Ichiro Suzuki's home while Suzuki's wife was in her bedroom. Maisonet tried to force his way through the bedroom door, but Suzuki's wife pushed back. Maisonet pepper-sprayed her through the opening, but she managed to bar the door before he could enter the room.
On March 9, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman posted camera images of three people breaking into his house, at least one armed with a pistol. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts after burglaries at the homes of such star athletes as Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
In a statement, Sherman expressed that having his house robbed at gunpoint was not what he wanted for a birthday gift. Some of the items taken during the break-ins, such as Macklemore's championship rings, were later recovered from a south Seattle jewelry store.
Maisonet was arrested on Aug. 21 in connection with another burglary and is currently held on bail totaling over $2 million. Seven people were charged in connection with those burglaries in February.
Macklemore, a Seattle native, has been a fan and investor in many area sports teams. He featured the two championship rings in his 2022 music video for the song "Chant." The incidents serve as a reminder for athletes and celebrities to take extra precautions to secure their homes and valuables.
