In light of recent burglaries affecting Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the NFL has reportedly taken proactive measures to enhance security across all teams. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero shared that the league has disseminated a memo to team security directors and the NFL Players Association, informing them of an ongoing FBI investigation into a series of organized criminal activities specifically targeting the residences of professional athletes.
This crime wave, attributed to a South American crime syndicate, has raised serious concerns within the league. Sources familiar with the situation have described the syndicate as a sophisticated transnational crime ring that has strategically focused its attention on NBA and NFL players across the nation in recent weeks. The methodology employed by these criminals involves monitoring team schedules and tracking athletes and their families on social media, leading them to execute burglaries while players are participating in games or when their homes are unoccupied.
Reports indicate that the criminals typically target master bedrooms and closets, aiming to quickly steal high-value items such as cash, jewelry, watches, and handbags. In light of these incidents, the NFL's advisory included recommendations for players to refrain from posting in real-time on social media, to keep valuables concealed, and to consider installing advanced security systems in their homes. While the burglaries at the homes of Mahomes and Kelce captured significant media attention, former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph, now with the Dallas Cowboys, also experienced a similar break-in at his Minnesota residence. Reports detail that the burglary at Kelce's home occurred shortly after the Chiefs' Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, resulting in damages and theft amounting to approximately $20,000.
