Why league stars like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Brown continue to get robbed
12/31/2024 03:08 PM
Recent months have seen a troubling trend of break-ins at the homes of high-profile athletes, with some incidents resulting in staggering losses. NBA and NFL stars like Jaylen Brown and Patrick Mahomes have become frequent targets, with organized theft groups exploiting their schedules to execute meticulously planned heists, per Yahoo. The most recent case involves Dallas Mavericks standout Luka Doncic, whose Dallas home was burglarized last Friday. Thieves entered through the master bathroom window, making off with jewelry worth $30,000.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is the latest professional athlete whose home has been recently burglarized.
No one was home at the time of the burglary, Doncic’s manager says. pic.twitter.com/B9bmxOO9D2
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) December 28, 2024
Doncic's business manager, Lara Beth Seager, confirmed the incident, assuring fans that the star and his family were unharmed. While no one was home during the break-in, this event adds to a growing list of similar incidents involving professional athletes. These burglaries, often linked to organized groups from South America, reflect a level of precision and strategy that alarms both law enforcement and sports leagues.
According to an FBI report, such groups scout homes for high-value items, bypassing alarm systems and leveraging advanced tools like Wi-Fi jammers to evade detection. Between September and November alone, at least nine athletes' homes were burglarized, including those of Patrick Mahomes and Karl-Anthony Towns. The pattern underscores the calculated nature of these crimes, as thieves target properties during games or public appearances when the residents are unlikely to be present.
High Stakes and Even Higher Losses
These crimes are not limited to one sport or region, with athletes across the NFL, NBA, and NHL falling victim. Minnesota Timberwolves' Mike Conley Jr. experienced a break-in on September 15 while attending a Vikings game, losing valuable jewelry. A day later, Karl-Anthony Towns faced a similar fate when his home was burglarized, with over $100,000 in property stolen. In October, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce reported separate break-ins, with Kelce losing cash and a prized watch before some of his belongings were recovered.
The trend continued into November, as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis offered a $40,000 reward after thieves took personal possessions during a game. Just weeks later, Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars reported half a million dollars' worth of watches stolen while he played at American Airlines Arena. More recently, Joe Burrow's Ohio home was burglarized in early December, adding to the growing list of victims.
The organized nature of these burglaries goes beyond merely timing them to coincide with games. Thieves disable security systems, obscure surveillance cameras, and meticulously plan their escapes, leaving few traces behind. Such sophistication has led the FBI to heighten its warnings to sports leagues, advising athletes to bolster their home security measures.
Rising Concerns Among Players and Officials
As these crimes escalate, the safety of athletes like Mahomes and their families has become a significant concern. While most burglaries occur when homes are empty, there have been instances of residents being present during break-ins, which raises the risk of violent encounters. The FBI has emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations with intruders, urging victims to seek law enforcement assistance immediately.
Sports leagues have issued warnings to players and staff, underscoring the need for vigilance. In a November memo, the NBA highlighted that organized theft groups are deliberately targeting athletes, using advanced techniques to bypass even sophisticated security setups. The memo also pointed out that game-day schedules create predictable windows of opportunity for thieves, making it easier to plan their heists.
The NFL has echoed similar concerns, advising players to enhance their security measures. Many athletes are now investing in state-of-the-art systems and hiring private security teams to monitor their properties during games and travel.
Steps Toward Better Protection
With burglaries showing no signs of slowing down, NFL, NBA, and more athletes and their families are taking steps to improve their safety. Enhanced security protocols, including live monitoring and advanced surveillance technology, are becoming standard practices for high-profile players.
However, the issue goes beyond individual precautions. Law enforcement agencies are working to dismantle the organized groups behind these crimes, though their international nature presents challenges. Collaborative efforts between local authorities and federal agencies are essential to curbing this trend and ensuring that athletes can focus on their careers without fear of being targeted.
As the holiday season unfolds, vigilance remains crucial. For stars like Luka Doncic, Patrick Mahomes, and others who have already been victimized, the hope lies in stronger deterrents and more effective preventive measures. While material losses can often be recovered, the psychological impact of these invasions is harder to erase, making the need for action more pressing than ever.
The post Why league stars like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Brown continue to get robbed appeared first on ClutchPoints.
