The NFL has issued a security alert to players warning them that migrant gangs are targeting them for burglaries after multiple high-profile players’ homes were burglarized earlier this month.
Two of the league’s biggest stars — Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight-end Travis Kielce — were the victims of home invasions just hours apart in the same evening. Sources have told NFL Network that the league is warning players that a “transnational ring” of criminals are targeting the homes of American athletes.
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
Several athletes with the NFL, NBA, and others have reported break-ins as well, NFL Network’s Tom Peliserro reported, adding that the South America-based crime ring is a “serious” threat to player safety. “It’s legit,” a source told the outlet. “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.”
According to the report, members of the burglary ring check media reports to find out when players will be out of town with the hopes of targeting an unoccupied target.
“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,” Pelissero 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.”
The NFL is advising players to keep an eye on all their properties and to install security measures if possible.
Law enforcement agencies in several states have been investigating South American burglary rings that target wealthy homes over the past year. Criminals have employed a number of high-tech tools when committing their crimes, including Wi-Fi jammers that disable home security cameras.
