The FBI is warning the nation’s top athletes that there are more than just fans keeping tabs on them.
Criminals are watching, too ― and targeting some of the biggest names in sports in a series of burglaries timed to hit athletes’ homes while they are away.
“These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” the FBI said in a liaison information report cited by ABC News.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks became the latest victim when his home was burglarized on Friday while he was away with his team.
The Dallas Morning News said thieves made off with $30,000 in jewelry.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, teammate Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin and others have also been victimized.
The FBI report said the homes of at least nine professional athletes were burglarized between September and November. The agency said organized crime rings from South America have been using a combination of team schedules and social media posts by athletes to plan the burglaries.
NBC’s Sam Brock told Chris Hayes that it’s a “fairly sophisticated operation” that involves “deep-level surveillance and reconnaissance.”
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Hayes called the burglaries “scary as hell.”
See more of that discussion, as well as additional details from sports reporter Kavitha Davidson, below:
