Keanu Reeves stolen watches found in Chile after Los Angeles robbery

Six luxury watches stolen from Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves home in Los Angeles have been found nearly 9,000 kilometres away in Chile. This week, Chilean police handed the watches to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago so they could be returned to actor.

The discovery happened by chance, Chilean police were investigating a violent burglary gang in Santiago’s eastern areas. During a raid in Penalolen, officers found valuable items, including a watch with a tribute.

One detective, fan of John Wick movies, recognized it. Reeves had given similar Rolex Submariners to his stunt team in 2021, written with his name and a thank you note. The team confirmed the match, linking to watch to the 2023 burglary at Reeves Lon Angles home.

Photos on a suspect’s phone showed the watch, a gun, and Reeves’s driver license, believed to be taken inside the actor’s home. The burglary cause losses of about $7 million.

The watches may have entered Chile through parcel services or travellers with clean records. Experts say Rolex Submariners sell for over $10,000, but with Reeves name, the black-market value is much higher.

The gang’s member scattered, one was convicted in Chile, another was killed in gang violence, and the other continued crime in the United States (U.S.) and Argentina.

The case has also sparked debate over the U.S. Chile visa waiver program, which lets Chileans enter the U.S. without a visa for short stays. Some U.S. officials have called for stricter checks, while both countries stress continued cooperation against cross border crime.

For Reeves, it’s an ironic twist as in John Wick, he plays a man seeking revenge after his home is attacked, this time, real life detectives and international teamwork helped return his stolen treasures.