The NFL has issued a security warning to teams following news that Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes burglarized within hours of each other last month.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that the league issued a memo regarding the matter, something the FBI has become involved in over theories that the home invasions were part of a larger organized crime hit.
Pelissero reports that “multiple people with knowledge of the crimes” have indicated that the theory is “legit.”
“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,” one of those sources reportedly told NFL.com.
Are NFL Burglaries More Widespread?
The latest news seems to indicate that these burglaries are more widespread and involve more than just NFL athletes, which is wild when you think about it.
This allegedly organized crime ring is breaking into some of the country’s most secure homes. Athletes are wealthy, and they are targets. As such, a vast majority have extensive security systems in their homes.
And they’re still getting into them. Just ask Mahomes and Kelce.
Mahomes’ Belton, Missouri mansion was hit first, just before a Monday Night game against the New Orleans Saints on October 7th. Then, Kelce’s Leawood, Kansas home was ransacked after kickoff, where $20,000 in cash was stolen. They were back-to-back break-ins while the team was prepping and even playing a Monday Night Football game.
I mean, if you hit a random Joe’s house, the case might not get much attention. These guys are targeting some of the world’s most popular athletes. They seem pretty confident that they can get away with their crimes even with the widespread media attention and sophisticated security.
The NFL issued a security alert Wednesday about organized and skilled criminals — believed to be tied to a South American crime syndicate — who are targeting pro athletes, including recent burglaries at the homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.https://t.co/Fr2QA7kdf8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 21, 2024
RELATED: How Much Does Patrick Mahomes Make Per Game?
Organized Effort
Pelissero’s report definitely points to organized burglaries. From the surveillance of NFL players’ homes to tracking their activities, these people are professionals.
“Multiple people with knowledge of the crimes said the perpetrators are nonconfrontational and do not burglarize homes while residents are inside,” Pelissero writes. “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.”
This isn’t Harry and Marv from the Wet Bandits we’re dealing with here.
The NFL offered advice to players on how to prevent falling victim to this crime ring, including beefing up security and not posting to social media in real time.
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