UPDATE: Dodgers Pitcher Walker Buehler Robbed of Watch at Santa Anita Racetrack

Posted on: October 10, 2024, 05:08h. 

Last updated on: October 10, 2024, 10:15h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler was one of three people targeted during a grand theft spree at Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia, Calif. last month.

Walker Beuhler, LA Dodgers, Santa Anita Park, racetrack
Walker Buehler, above, was initially oblivious that he had been targeted by a gang of thieves at Santa Anita racetrack, according to reports. (Image: LA Times)

The MLB star was relieved of his watch, which was worth “six figures,” according to Dodgers Nation, which broke the story. The thieves used distraction techniques and sleight of hand to separate Buehler from his expensive timepiece, police said.

Buehler’s Day Off

Buehler was one of numerous players who didn’t travel to Colorado for the final regular season series. Instead, he attended the races on September 28 with his wife, McKenzie Buehler, his agency Excel Baseball later confirmed.

A Kentucky native, the baseball player is a big horse racing fan and owns a stake in 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic.

While the couple walked to their seats from the Paddock, Buehler was “unknowingly the victim of a snatch and grab robbery,” according to Excel Baseball.

“We are grateful Walker and McKenzie were not harmed, and Walker is focused on the playoffs,” the agency added.

Melted Into the Crowd

On Tuesday, Arcadia Police confirmed three incidents of grand theft occurred at the September 28 meet.

“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,” police said in a news release.

These suspects limited the movement of the victim, creating confusion … and while the movement of the victim was limited, one of the suspects was able to remove the victim’s watch from their wrist.”

In this case, the victim was aware they had been robbed but the suspects quickly melted into the crowd and disappeared, police said.

Suspect Arrested

A second victim who was initially oblivious that a crime had been committed didn’t alert security until several hours later when they noticed the watch was missing, according to police.

The thieves were somehow able to undo the buttons on his shirt sleeve before slipping off the watch. While authorities didn’t cite the names of the victims, based on the description of the event, this would appear to be Buehler.

In a third incident, a victim was approached by three suspects, one of whom attempted to embrace him, while another tried to remove his watch. The victim realized what was happening and confronted the suspects who immediately fled.

This victim was able to quickly alert security and Arcadia police officers leading to the arrest of 24-year-old Camilo Nino-Hernandez of Los Angeles.

Nino-Hernandez has been charged with felony grand theft and of being in possession of a fraudulent Social Security card, police said.

“Based on the initial investigation, it appears all three victims were targeted by different, organized groups of people whose sole purpose was to steal high-end watches through distraction and utilizing the large crowds at the event to create confusion,” the Arcadia Police Department said in a statement.