The FBI is investigating a number of burglaries targeting NBA players in the Midwest, with organized South American gangs believed to be responsible.
NFL, NBA thefts spark safety concerns in Midwest
Since September this year, the properties of multiple NFL and NBA athletes have been attacked by criminal gangs.
There have been break-ins across the Midwest in what the FBI believes is an organized South American burglary ring targeting the multimillion-dollar homes of some of America's most high-profile athletes.
The local police department revealed that break-ins usually occur when players attend away games.
The most recently reported incident was Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow being targeted on Dec. 9 while his team was playing the Cowboys on the road in Dallas.
Intruders ransacked his $7.5 million Ohio mansion, with an upstairs bedroom window reportedly smashed.
This follows a series of break-ins across the NFL, with Kansas City Chiefs duo Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce also being burglarized within days. .
The former had $100,000 worth of jewelry and his first Super Bowl jersey stolen from his home in Kansas.
🚨NBA urges players to improve home security amid wave of athlete burglaries
Following a series of break-ins targeting professional athletes, the NBA issued a memo on Friday advising players to upgrade their home security systems and consider using watchdogs. Victims include NBA star Mike… pic.twitter.com/GD30uXoxcN
— Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) November 23, 2024
NBA players have also been subject to gruesome burglaries. Milwaukee's Bobby Portis Jr., Minnesota's Mike Conley and Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns have all been targeted while away on the road.
While the FBI has neither confirmed nor denied their belief that the gang has ties to transnational crime syndicates, the organization has forwarded memos to the NBA and NFL describing the gangs as “well-organized, sophisticated gangs that incorporate advanced… Technology and techniques, including advance surveillance, drones and signal jamming devices.
The NFL has asked players to consider taking a number of steps to reduce the likelihood of themselves being targeted, such as reducing activity on social media, including reducing footage of high-value items in their homes.
The NBA also recommends players update alarm systems, lock up valuables and even recommend hiring guards or adopting dogs to help ward off intruders.
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