A gaggle of thieves surrounded not less than three Santa Anita Park guests, together with Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, and slipped off their wristwatches in a sequence of distraction thefts on the racetrack in Arcadia, California.

In every case reported in late September, the sufferer was strolling in a big crowd on the park east of Los Angeles after they have been approached by the thieves, a few of whom distracted the sufferer as an confederate eliminated the watch.

Buehler, who’s scheduled to begin Recreation 3 of the Dodgers’ Nationwide League Division Sequence Tuesday night time in San Diego, was on the horse racing monitor Sept. 27 together with his spouse McKenzie when he was robbed, Excel Sports activities Administration stated in an announcement. Thieves surrounded Buehler and took the dear wristwatch from his arm.

“Whereas strolling from the paddock to their seats, Walker was unknowingly the sufferer of a snatch and seize theft of his watch,” Excel Sports activities Administration stated within the assertion. “The incident was reported to police and is presently beneath investigation. We’re grateful Walker and McKenzie weren’t harmed and Walker is concentrated on the playoffs.”

Buehler, who grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, has a micro-share possession in Genuine, the 2020 Kentucky Derby champion. He was on the monitor with different gamers who didn’t journey to Colorado for the Dodgers’ remaining sequence of the season, Excel Sports activities Administration stated.

Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts was requested Tuesday in regards to the theft.

“It occurred a few weeks in the past, so it is outdated information for Walker,” stated Roberts. “I am joyful that he is protected, however it simply retains us all on alert that issues like this may joyful. What a scary time.

“You’ll be able to all the time exchange a watch, however it wasn’t an affordable watch.”

One of many watches focused within the robberies was estimated at about $100,000. One other was valued at $250,000, police stated

Right here’s every part to know in regards to the American and Nationwide League Division Sequence for the 2024 MLB postseason.

Arcadia police issued a information launch Tuesday with particulars in regards to the three distraction robberies reported on the identical weekend at Santa Anita Park. In a single theft, the sufferer was strolling with a big group when the thieves surrounded them.

“Whereas the motion of the sufferer was restricted, one of many suspects was in a position to take away the sufferer’s watch from their wrist,” the Arcadia Police Division stated in an announcement.

The sufferer didn’t understand the watch was lacking till the thieves left the realm, police stated. There was no indication that the thieves threatened the sufferer in the course of the theft.

An analogous crime was reported by one other individual later that very same day. The sufferer in that case didn’t discover the watch was lacking till a number of hours later, police stated.

In a 3rd case that day, the sufferer was approached by a gaggle of thieves, considered one of whom tried to hug the sufferer. A second thief started to take away their watch, however the sufferer seen.

“The sufferer felt his watch being eliminated and confronted the suspects, who instantly left the realm,” police stated.

The person notified park safety and police, who took one individual into custody. The 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and being in possession of a fraudulent social safety playing cards

“We’re absolutely cooperating with the Arcadia Police Division’s investigation,” Santa Anita Park stated in an announcement.