The FBI has issued a warning to avoid “engaging with criminals” after a spate of burglaries which saw the homes of sporting superstars including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes targeted.

The intelligence service has attributed the string of break-ins at properties belonging to A-List names to organized crime groups based in South America. According a report from ABC News, nine incidents of burglary took place between the months of September and November.

Including aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs teammates Mahomes and Kelce, fellow NFL ace Joe Burrow has been targeted in recent months. Additionally, basketball stars including Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic, Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis have seen their properties burgled during the period in question.

Now, the FBI has issued an official response on the spate of burglaries, which occurred while the victims were playing for their respective teams. Their statement read: “These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash.

“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home,” they continued, while issuing advice to sports stars. “In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted.”

Moreover, the FBI also explained the methods they beleive were employed by the organized groups behind the burglaries in the lead up the break-ins. They added: “Organized theft groups bypass alarm systems, use Wi-Fi jammers to block Wi-Fi connections and disable devices, cover security cameras, and obfuscate their identities.”

Patrick Mahomes previously spoke of his frustrations at the break-in at his home back in October

Patrick Mahomes previously spoke of his frustrations at the break-in at his home back in October ( 

Image:

Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Previously stars including NFL quarterback Mahomes have spoken of their own frustrations at being victim of a burglary in recent months. He said: “Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing. I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing.

“But obviously, it’s something that you don’t want to happen to really anybody but obviously yourself. I can’t speak too much about the details of everything just with the investigation going on, but I’m sure at some point that will be talked about.”

It is understood that the incident of burglary at the Chiefs star’s home in Belton on October 6, with a home belonging to colleague Kelce also subjected to a break-in on the following day. Both KC players are reported to have had belongings including prized jerseys and jewelry stolen in the incidents.

Meanwhile, fellow football ace Burrow spoke about his own ordeal as he admitted that he has found it difficult dealing with the impact of the burglary on his personal life alongside his commitments on the field. He said: “There is already way more is already out there than I would want out there and that I care to share.

“That has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career – still learning, but I understand it’s the life that we choose. [But it] doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”