Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was robbed of a luxury watch last month outside a horse racing track in a Los Angeles suburb, police said on Tuesday.
The MLB star was reportedly not threatened during the mugging incident, which took place on September 28th at the Santa Anita Park horse racing track in Arcadia, located approximately 14 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Police said they are investigating similar incidents that took place the same day and noted they believe the crime was committed by groups who steal expensive watches during crowded events.
Buehler’s agency released a statement following the announcement of the robbing incident.
“Following Walker’s final regular season start on September 27th, he and a number of other players did not travel to Colorado for the final regular season series. That weekend, Walker and his wife McKenzie, were attending horse races at Santa Anita Park,” the statement from Excel Sports Management said. “While walking from the paddock to their seats, Walker was unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery of his watch.”
The statement added, “The incident was reported to police and is currently under investigation. We are grateful Walker and McKenzie were not harmed and Walker is focused on the playoffs.”
The Arcadia Police Department also detailed how the robbing incidents took place on September 28 in a news release.
“In one incident, a victim was walking among a large crowd of patrons. While walking within the crowd, the victim was encircled by a group of unknown suspects,” the Arcadia police statement said. “These suspects limited the movement of the victim, creating confusion. While the movement of the victim was limited, one of the suspects was able to remove the victim’s watch from their wrist. After removing the watch, the group of suspects dispersed and left the area. At that time, the victim realized their watch was stolen and reported the incident to Santa Anita Park security. At no time during the incident was the victim threatened.”
Buehler is scheduled to start Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
The mugging incident comes not long after San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was robbed at gunpoint in San Francisco on August 31.
According to CNN, a 17-year-old boy attempted to rob Pearsall as he was walking by himself in the city’s Union Square. An altercation broke out and both Pearsall and the robber suffered injuries.
“Gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a news conference following the incident, adding multiple shots were fired.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said during a press conference that Pearsall is continuing to undergo physical therapy. He is expected to return to the field this season.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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