Wander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while on rehab assignment in Florida

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. 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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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