Burglaries Target Stars from Kansas City Chiefs and Other Sports Leagues

Authorities investigating a recent string of burglaries targeting the homes of professional athletes have recovered a wristwatch belonging to Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, according to sources who spoke to ABC News. The watch was found in Providence, Rhode Island. Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas, was burglarized as the Chiefs were set to kick-off a game against the New Orleans Saints. This incident coincided with a burglary at the residence of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The police had previously confirmed that $20,000 in cash was stolen from Kelce’s home, but the theft of the watch had not been disclosed. Law enforcement officials suggest these burglaries may be part of a pattern targeting professional athletes based on their game schedules. Investigators are exploring whether an organized crime ring is responsible for these incidents, which predominantly occur when the houses are unoccupied.

A security source reported that the perpetrators conduct in-depth surveillance of their targets, which sometimes involves posing as delivery workers or joggers to gather information concerning the homes, the neighborhoods, and security systems. «The burglars appear to know what they’re looking for, where it is, and are in and out within 15 minutes,» the source familiar with the investigation told ABC News.

A memo from the National Football League (NFL) addressed to its teams highlights that athletes in various leagues, including the NBA and NHL, are potential targets. This document, which CNN obtained, advises players to avoid posting their activities live on social media and to refrain from sharing images of expensive items. The memo underscores the importance of implementing robust home security measures.

The FBI and local law enforcement are working collaboratively to identify the individuals involved and ascertain whether they are part of a cross-border crime network. Although the FBI declined to comment specifically to CNN, some of the discussed methods reportedly include high-level surveillance activities, such as using drones and signal jamming devices.

The thefts have not been solely confined to football players. Recently, the home of Mike Conley Jr., a guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, was burglarized during a Minnesota Vikings game. Eerily similar incidents involving Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks have also emerged, prompting concern amongst athletes across leagues.