The NFL has warned its players to take precautions against a “transnational crime ring” that is suspected of orchestrating a number of break-ins of athletes’ homes including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that the league sent a memo to team security and players union officials warning them about measures they can take in an attempt to stave off the home invasions.
The report also said that the FBI believes that the rash of home break-ins has been the result of “international organized crime.”
“It’s legit,” a source told 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.”
Bucks veteran Bobby Portis and Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. have also had their homes robbed in recent weeks.
Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph was also a victim of a home robbery.
A Fox 4 Kansas City report said cops believe a South American crime ring is responsible for the break-ins at the Mahomes and Kelce residences.
“Multiple people with knowledge of the crimes said the perpetrators are nonconfrontational and do not burglarize homes while residents are inside. Instead, they use public records to find players’ addresses and conduct extensive surveillance,” the NFL Media report said.
“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.”
Advice from the NFL to its players included not posting flashy items on social media, installing sophisticated security systems and motion-sensing lights and utilizing house-sitters when possible.