Around Moscow: Robbery cleans out Colombian singer Maluma

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Jun 20, 2018

According to Moscow police, a Colombian pop star on hand to watch his national soccer team play in the World Cup has suffered a bigger loss than the 2-1 defeat inflicted by Japan.

Russian media, citing police sources, reported that singer Maluma was robbed of luxury items worth more than 50 million rubles ($785,000) stored in his hotel room. News outlet RBC reported the theft of Cartier jewelry, 11 luxury watches, 10 glasses studded with diamonds and pearls, and a Louis Vuitton handbag. 

Juan Luis Londoño Arias, who uses the stage name Maluma, is 24 and one of the biggest stars of Latin music. He has recorded three albums and has been a soccer fan since his youth in the city of Medellin. A duet recorded with singer Shakira titled "Clandestino" was released last week.

Around midday Tuesday the reggaeton star posted on social media a picture of himself leaving a plane wearing a Colombia jersey and a message stating he was headed to the game against Japan in Saransk.

News outlets reported he was staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Moscow. Reuters reported that a hotel spokeswoman said in an e-mail an investigation is underway. “We treat the question of security for our guests and their belongings very seriously and immediately informed the police.”  No other information about the theft, such as whether it was the work of a single person, has been released publicly.

Colombia entered the tournament as the favorite to win Group H but in the third minute of its opening game with Japan lost a player when Carlos Sanchez was sent off for commiting a handball in the penalty area. Japan converted the penalty kick and scored again in the second half. Colombia plays its next game Sunday against Poland in Kazan.