Professional athletes appear to have been targeted in a series of home invasions over the past few months. The FBI has linked recent home burglaries to South American transnational theft groups, according to The Associated Press.
Which Athletes Have Had Their Homes Broken Into?
Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were among the victims targeted in home invasions. More recently, NBA players Bobby Portis and Mike Conley Jr. had their homes burglarized.
Conley had jewelry stolen from his home while he attended a Minnesota Vikings football game. Meanwhile, Portis offered up a $40,000 reward for anyone with more information on the incident that took place at his Milwaukee home.
“They took most of my prized possessions,” Portis said after his home was burglarized.
For Mahomes, Kelce, and Portis, their homes were broken into while they were playing for their respective teams.
What Are The NFL & NBA Doing To Counteract Thefts
The FBI sent out a memo to both leagues to provide further information about the groups responsible for the thefts. The groups are reportedly very sophisticated and use advanced procedures and technology to carry out the burglaries, including “pre-surveillance, drones and signal jamming devices.”
The NBA and NFL have warned players to protect their homes further, especially while playing away games.
The NBA sent out a memo to inform players about South American gangs, who “focus primarily on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury handbags.”
In the memo, the NBA also recommended that players install up-to-date alarm systems with cameras, lock their valuables in secured safes, and remove any information online that might give away the location or contents of their homes. The league also suggested that players “utilize protective guard services” during extended road trips and even have dogs to help with home protection.
The NHL also cautioned its teams about the burglaries but did not share any communication that it sent to teams or the players union.
