Acclaimed actor Keanu Reeves has publicly thanked law enforcement agencies in the United States and Chile for their successful efforts in recovering several of his prized watches, which were stolen during a burglary at his Los Angeles home. The stolen collection, valued at approximately $125,000, included a highly personalized and rare Rolex gifted to him after filming John Wick: Chapter 4.
The Targeted Burglary and Prized Possessions
In 2023, Reeves' Los Angeles residence was broken into by a group of foreign nationals as part of a string of burglaries. The thieves made off with a number of expensive items, but the most significant losses were six of the actor's watches. Among them was an extremely rare Rolex Submariner that was one of only five ever made. This particular watch was a wrap gift to commemorate the completion of John Wick: Chapter 4 and featured a personalized inscription dedicated to the film's stunt team.
The theft carried a poignant irony, as the entire John Wick franchise was launched by a storyline where Reeves' character seeks vengeance for the theft of his car and the murder of his puppy. The stolen Rolex was a direct and valuable memento from that very series.
A Cross-Border Investigation Leads to Recovery
The investigation took an international turn when Chilean officials from the Policia de Investigaciones (PDI) discovered the stolen possessions during a broader probe into burglaries in the capital city of Santiago. According to a report from CNN in August, the discovery was described by the U.S. Embassy as circumstantial.
A key break in the case came from a detective within the PDI who is a fan of the John Wick franchise. This detective managed to recognize the unique Rolex watch after being aware of the custom gifts Reeves had given to his stunt team. This crucial recognition allowed authorities to ultimately match the watch to the theft from the actor's home.
Reeves' Heartfelt Gratitude to Law Enforcement
In a gesture of sincere appreciation, Keanu Reeves penned a handwritten letter addressed to the FBI and Chile's PDI, also extending his thanks to the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. In the letter, shared by the Los Angeles Times, the actor expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation for their work.
Thank you so much for all your effort, dedication, professionalism and across-border cooperation. My warmest regards, Keanu, he wrote.
Chilean prosecutor Claudia Barraza clarified that while the watches were found in Chile, there was no evidence directly linking the group that broke into Reeves' home to the group that transported the items to the South American country. The successful recovery stands as a testament to the power of international police cooperation and a bit of movie fandom.
