### Seattle Man Charged in High-Profile Athlete Burglaries

A 21-year-old Seattle man faces charges for a series of burglaries targeting the residences of notable current and former football and baseball players. Earl Henderson Riley IV has been charged with multiple counts of residential burglary, both in occupied and unoccupied homes, as well as first-degree robbery, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Authorities allege Riley led a burglary spree beginning in February, stealing valuable items from the homes of prominent athletes. The thefts included over $6,000 in Louis Vuitton bags from Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo's home, and more than $194,000 in high-end purses and jewelry from Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez's residence. Additionally, several watches worth in excess of $100,000 were taken from former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman's home. There was also a burglary at the home of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, although no items were stolen in that instance. An attempted burglary at the home of baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez was also reported.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion emphasized that everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, stating that the office remains committed to holding those accountable for criminal behavior. This case marks yet another incident in a troubling trend where professional athletes across the country are being targeted due to the valuable items they are believed to own. This trend often sees homes burglarized while players are away for road games, prompting the FBI and sports leagues to issue warnings.

Riley is currently held in King County Jail on $1 million bail. It's not clear if he has legal representation. Efforts to reach the King County Department of Public Defense for comment were unsuccessful, and the prosecutor's office was unsure if Riley had a lawyer.

Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts still underway to identify and charge any additional individuals involved. Riley is expected to make his initial plea during an arraignment on June 16. He also faces a separate case in King County Superior Court on charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle and unlawful firearm possession.