SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, DO (WWJ) - The Detroit Tigers Academy was reportedly struck by armed thieves in the latest string of robberies targeting MLB facilities in the Dominican Republic.
The facility, located in San Pedro de Macorís roughly 45 miles east of the Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo, was broken into late Tuesday (Oct. 18) night by five suspects with guns, Dominican Police spokesman Diego Pesqueira told The Associated Press.
The alleged thieves restrained a security guard and went to the players' rooms to steal cash and other valuables, such as phones and jewelry. It was also reported that they attempted to take a safe, but failed.
None of the players or staff members were injured in the incident while police confirmed one suspect was arrested.
The robbery occurred days after five armed thieves targeted the St. Louis Cardinals complex on Friday, Oct. 13. A security guard was bound and gagged while the suspects stole belongings.
While no one was hurt, the victims were left with a shattered sense of security.
"This was scary on many fronts," John Mozeliak, the Cardinals' president of baseball operations, said in a released statement. "Our players and staff were shaken up but not harmed. No one was injured, and we will reassess our security provisions immediately."
The AP reported that the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Guardians facilities were also recently hit in a similar manner while Dominican-based reporter Héctor Gómez said sixteen of 30 MLB academies in the country had been robbed.
Dominican police are currently investigating the crimes with cooperation from MLB. It is currently unknown if the robberies are connected.
“The corresponding cameras are being taken to strengthen the investigative process and we hope in the next few hours to give a conclusive answer to this case,” Pesqueira told the AP.
The Detroit Tigers Academy hosts minor-league players, from teens to young adults, from Latin American counties who sign contracts starting at the age of 16.
Players at the academy continue to work on their skills through various workouts, games and schooling before going on to play ball in the United States
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, one of the Tigers' top prospects, switch-hitting catcher Enrique Jimenez, was present at the facility during the armed robbery.