In an especially brazen episode, thieves snatched six $1.2 million Rolex Submariners off actor Keanu Reeves’ wrist. The violent robbery that inspired this brief occurred in downtown Los Angeles in 2023. The watches, which Reeves had previously gifted to his stunt crew on the set of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” bear a personal inscription on the back, reading, “Thank you, JW4, 2021, The John Wick Five.” After an elaborate investigation, authorities found a connection to a Chilean gang. This gang’s specialty has been holding up large amounts of stolen money, most often from high-end neighborhoods.
The gang carried out robberies at other stores just like these three. His theft was just one part of a criminal history with an obvious pattern. It serves to remind us all that even high-profile individuals are not immune to crime. More importantly, it highlights the international dimensions of organized theft.
Investigation Uncovers Chilean Gang’s Activities
Deputy Prefect Marcelo Varas was the head of the investigation that broke up the Chilean gang that had robbed the currency exchange. He noted that even in 2023, the gang was still in robbing mode. Their violence during the commission of these crimes was increasing. Once they were contained, the case began attracting national attention due to their violent behavior. Consequently, many of these people moved elsewhere and began perpetrating crimes overseas, employing the same methods. The last years were the periods of increasing trafficking, Varas detailed.
Her investigation uncovered a methodical effort to target predominantly white, wealthy communities, including Oakland County, Michigan. The gang’s increasingly violent and brazen tactics terrified the community. They showed their pals’ willingness to use violence should they be confronted in the middle of a burglary.
Varas further explained how detectives were able to identify the stolen watches through their investigations. Fortunately, one of the detectives – a fan of the John Wick movie franchise – was able to identify the object. He had read the story on the (stunt) doubles, and all four of them received an indemnity watch. We were able to follow up with them and find a tangible match in the real world,” he said.
Recovery and Return of Stolen Watches
The stolen Rolex Submariners would be recovered after a police raid in Peñalolén —a Santiago commune connected to the Chilean underworld. Authorities seized more than $900,000 worth of valuable items from a home belonging to one of the suspects. Following their recovery, the FBI picked up the timepieces from the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile. The move opened up the watches’ return to Reeves.
Watches in particular are a collector’s item. There are even people whose life work is spent finding and acquiring rare watches. If it’s a brand, a unique piece or something that’s tied to a high-powered actor, people want it even more,” said Varas. He underscored the importance of these luxury items in both the criminal and collector undergrounds.
Blaine Freestone, deputy legal attaché at the US Embassy, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in cases involving transnational crime. “Due to the continued collaboration with Chilean law enforcement, victims of transnational crimes are receiving justice,” he said.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Efforts
The case has received national and international prominence due to its connection to a public figure. It raises fundamental questions about international crime. Following this attack, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem responded. She signed a joint letter of intent to expand the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert program with Chile. This cutting-edge initiative is designed to catch criminals and deter such occurrences from ever taking place again.
Law enforcement professionals have worked to recover those watches. They have done an incredible job of jumping over borders and attacking organized crime. The brother of the robbery suspect in the Los Angeles heist has already run into significant legal peril himself. He has been found guilty of robbery with intimidation and contraband smuggling.
