The NFL has ramped up security warnings for teams and players after Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes house was burglarized in October.
Patrick Mahomes’ house robbed on game day
Fellow Chiefs player Travis Kelce’s home was also robbed at nearly the same time as Mahomes’ house was in the ritzy suburbs of Kansas City.
This week, the league alerted security chiefs and the players’ union about a suspected organized crime ring targeting professional athletes’ residences.
A similar case just unfolded at the home of Linval Joseph, former Minnesota Vikings and current Dallas Cowboys DT, over the weekend.
Joseph’s place in Sunfish Lake, near the Vikings’ headquarters in Minnesota, got looted on November 18, according to West St. Paul Police, as reported by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon revealed that the crime at Joseph’s home shares traits with more than 60 other burglaries targeting athletes both locally and nationally.
Minnesota Timberwolves player Mike Conley’s home got hit while he attended a Vikings game in September.
“We know that they’re using some sophisticated techniques’ in order to determine when people at the home are leaving and where exterior cameras are situated on homes,” Sturgeon said, adding that these operations are done by groups, not solo actors.
NBA player’ home targeted
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis also faced a heist at his house while playing at Fiserv Forum on November 2.
“This is a place I’ve considered home, so why not make my home a better place? While I was at my game yesterday, I had a home invasion, and they took most of my prized possessions,” Portis commented on social media.
“I appreciate all the love and support you guys have shown me over the weekend regarding the home invasion.”
Portis is willing to pay $40,000 in reward money if it leads to the return of the possessions that were taken from him.
“Any info that leads to the return of any of my belongings will be rewarded handsomely,” Portis said. “Let me know, thank you.”
Authorities revealed Wednesday they suspect a South American criminal syndicate behind the burglaries.
The FBI, which is investigating these incidents and others involving current NFL players, is convinced these thieves are part of an organized international gang.
“It’s legit,” an insider told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. ‘It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country.’
“Multiple people with knowledge of the crimes said the perpetrators are non-confrontational and do not burglarize homes while residents are inside,” Pelissero reported. “Instead, they use public records to find players’ addresses and conduct extensive surveillance.”
“Then, by tracking team schedules and the social media accounts of players and their families, they wait until homes are empty — often during games — and gain access and quickly steal items such as cash, jewelry, watches and handbags, focusing mainly on master bedrooms and closets,” he added.
Reports indicate Kelce and Mahomes fell victim to a calculated spree following similar burglaries around Minneapolis and Milwaukee.
Patrick Mahomes’ house ransacked by burglars
Burglars reportedly struck Mahomes’ home in Belton on October 6 at around midnight, moving on to Kelce’s Kansas property on October 7, the day the Chiefs played the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead, with Taylor Swift in attendance.
After these burglaries, Mahomes acted fast. He reportedly boosted security at his Belton house within days, with his gated community also tightening up its protective measures.
Recently, Mahomes broke his silence regarding the ordeal. “Obviously, it’s frustrating. It’s disappointing,” the quarterback said.
Mahomes residence was looted of his trophies, awards, and additional personal items, along with his wife’s jewelry and designer handbags.
Kelce was reportedly taken for at least $100,000 in jewelry, and his first Super Bowl jersey.
“Obviously something that you don’t want to have happen to really anybody. But obviously yourself.” he remarked.
Both Mahomes and Kelce reside in the Kansas City suburbs, roughly 30 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium.
