Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while he was on a rehab assignment in June, according to ESPN.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred while Franco was playing with the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The team was in Jacksonville when Kahlil Eugene Mathis, 24, reportedly broke into Franco's car and stole a $60 safe that contained the jewelry. Mathis was also wanted for three other vehicle break-ins, per ESPN.<\/p>\n
Franco had a number of items in the safe, including two Cuban link chains. One was valued at $300,000. The other was valued at $200,000. The safe also contained a $70,000 gold pendant, a $44,000 Rolex watch, a $20,000 American League championship ring, a $20,000 Durham championship ring and a $5,000 pendant of Tom from \"Tom and Jerry.\"<\/p>\n
Officers arrested Mathis after he sold a few of the items at a pawn shop near the hotel where Franco parked his car. Mathis provided a thumb print to the pawn shop, which officers were able to identify. Officers also found the safe, and some of the jewelry, in a hotel room used by Mathis. Both Cuban link chains and the Rolex have yet to be recovered.<\/p>\n
Mathis is in jail and due to appear in court Aug. 1. He faces a number of charges, including four felony burglary charges and 14 other felonies, per ESPN. Mathis was charged for allegedly being involved in nine separate incidents.<\/p>\n
Franco, 21, signed a 12-year, $185 million extension with the Rays following the 2021 MLB season. He got off to a hot start in 2022, and was hitting .302\/.326\/.481 on May 13. Franco sustained a leg injury, however, and saw his numbers plummet. The team placed Franco on the Injured List in early June. The break-in occurred while Franco was on a rehab assignment from that injury.<\/p>\n
Franco returned to the Rays in late June. He made it 13 games before sustaining a hamate bone injury that will keep him out of action for multiple weeks.<\/p>\n
Wander Franco had jewelry stolen from his car while on a rehab assignment. (Photo by Cliff Welch\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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Wander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while on rehab assignment in Florida - Yahoo Sports<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while he was on a rehab assignment in June, according to ESPN. The incident occurred while Franco was playing with the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Continue reading