Skilled burglars are targeting pro athletes’ homes, leagues warn
In a recent development, at least three professional sports leagues have issued warnings to their teams regarding a concerning trend of organized groups targeting the homes of athletes for break-ins. These warnings were prompted by a series of burglaries that have taken place at the residences of players in the NBA and the NFL, with notable victims including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The NFL issued a security bulletin to teams on Wednesday, alerting them to the fact that thieves are specifically targeting athletes’ homes on game days, taking advantage of their absence while they are away competing. The methods used by these criminals to identify the homes of athletes and determine when they will be unoccupied include scouring public records, monitoring social media activity, and even conducting their own surveillance of the properties.
The NBA has also been made aware of the situation, with league security officials receiving a briefing from the FBI linking the burglaries to transnational South American theft groups. These sophisticated rings are said to employ advanced techniques and technologies such as pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices to carry out their crimes. In most cases, the targeted homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated, and were unoccupied without the presence of any pets.
Law enforcement agencies have expressed concerns over the rise of “burglary tourists,” who enter the United States from countries eligible for visa waivers and engage in organized burglaries of luxury homes. These criminals often use camouflage suits to avoid detection and WiFi jammers to disable alarm systems, making them difficult to apprehend.
Both the NFL and the NBA have advised players to take precautions to protect their homes and belongings. These measures include refraining from posting real-time updates on social media, installing comprehensive security systems with cameras and sensors, and using trusted house sitters when away. The leagues have also recommended vetting contractors and removing any public listings of their homes with interior photos.
Recent victims of these burglaries, such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and NBA player Mike Conley Jr., have spoken out about their experiences. Mahomes expressed his frustration and disappointment over the incident, while Bobby Portis, who had his home burglarized in November, shared surveillance footage of the break-in on social media.
Overall, the sports leagues are taking the necessary steps to inform and protect their players from these targeted break-ins. By raising awareness and providing guidance on home security measures, they aim to safeguard the well-being of their athletes and prevent further incidents of theft.
