LA Dodgers star pitcher robbed by mob in California park

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Last month, Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler had his watch stolen from a horse racing track in Southern California.

Buehler was at the California Crown horse race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia with his wife, McKenzie Marcinek, on Sept. 28 when someone unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and stole the luxury accessory. The incident was part of a series of robberies. Both Buehler and another unidentified victim were in a crowd when guards were taken away from them.

A third victim hugged a suspect while another person tried to take his watch. When the victim realized what was happening, he confronted the suspects, who then left the area.

“Based on the initial investigation, it appears that all three victims were targeted by separate, organized groups of people whose sole goal was to steal high-value watches through distraction and to take advantage of the large crowd at the event to cause confusion,” Arcadia police said in a statement posted on social media.

Buehler's agency confirmed that he was a victim in the incident.

“As Walker walked from the paddock to their seats, he unknowingly became the victim of a robbery of his watch,” Excel Sports Management, which represents Buehler, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. “The incident was reported to police and is currently under investigation. We are thankful that Walker and McKenzie were not injured and Walker is focused on the playoffs.”

Police said police arrested 24-year-old Camilo Nino-Hernandez of Los Angeles in connection with the robberies. He is charged with grand larceny and possession of a counterfeit Social Security card. The charges will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney for review, the department said. The authority did not provide details about the victims in the case.

Buehler is from Lexington, Kentucky and has always been a fan of horse racing, the outlet reported.

He owns a micro-share in the racehorse Authentic, who was trained by renowned trainer Bob Baffert. The horse won the Kentucky Derby in 2020.

Buehler will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at Petco Park.