The NFL has sent a security alert to its teams and players, alerting them to the risk of burglaries by a “transnational crime ring” that targeted the homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The Kansas City Chiefs stars had their homes compromised by thieves last month while they were focusing on a Monday Night Football clash with the New Orleans Saints. Items of huge sentimental and financial value were taken, including jewelry and football memorabilia.
According to NFL Media, the FBI is investigating a series of connected burglaries of high-profile athletes as international organized crime. A South American crime syndicate is believed to be responsible for the spree, which also saw Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Linval Joseph’s home broken into.
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“It’s legit,” a source told NFL.com. “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, the perpetrators of the burglaries have been “non-confrontational”, instead conducting extensive surveillance and breaking into homes when unoccupied.
The memo sent by the league to team security officials and the NFL Players Association on Thursday urged players not to post their location on social media in real-time. They were also told to consider installing security systems and storing their valuables out of sight and under lock and key.
Dallas Cowboys star Linval Joseph also had his home burglarized (
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Mahomes’ mansion in Belton, Missouri was ransacked shortly after midnight on Oct. 6, with Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas City, targeted the following day at around 7 p.m.
Thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, jerseys and trophies were nabbed from Mahomes’ house, while Kelce lost more than $100,000 in jewelry. The four-time All-Pro tight end also had his first Super Bowl jersey stolen. His girlfriend, music icon Taylor Swift, did not have anything stolen, though, as she only kept a few essentials at Kelce’s home.
“Obviously, it’s frustrating,” Mahomes said of the burglaries. “It’s disappointing, but I can’t get into too many details because the investigation is still ongoing. Obviously, something that you don’t want to have happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself.”
A source close to both players told The U.S. Sun: “Both Kelce and Mahomes got really mad it happened, and that intruders got into their properties that they consider their ‘safe-haven’ and ‘safe place’ as they are always under the spotlights and always traveling.
“The Mahomes got really angry as Brittany felt really bad that people got into their privacy, into their private spaces, and felt really bad about it for a bit. That really bothered them a lot, especially her, as she always wants her safe space and her family and kids to be in the safest places 24/7, and home is their sanctuary in the middle of the super active life they have.
“To have someone get into [Kelce’s] private home is something he really got uncomfy about. [Taylor] felt bad for what happened despite not having many belongings there, but felt bad for her man and for the Mahomes.”
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