The NBA community was recently shaken by burglaries at the homes of Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. Following the Bucks’ narrow victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portis discovered his house had been broken into, with several valuable possessions stolen. Similarly, Conley’s home was targeted while attending a Minnesota Vikings game.
This alarming trend is not limited to the NBA. Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were also victims of similar incidents, prompting the NBA and NFL to act.
In response, the NBA has issued a memo to team officials. They have urged players to take extra precautions to protect their homes. The league recommends updated alarm systems with cameras and protective guard services, especially during extended absences.
The NBA’s proactive measures mirror those of the NFL. The NFL also recently issued warnings to its players regarding skilled criminals targeting their homes.
FBI Warns NBA About Sophisticated Theft Rings Targeting Players’ Homes
Recent reports have shed light on the rise of sophisticated theft rings targeting professional athletes and high-net-worth individuals. According to Leon Newsome, the NBA’s senior vice president and chief security officer, the league has been briefed by FBI agents about these increasingly common crimes. Newsome shared with league presidents and general managers that “transnational South American Theft Groups” (SATGs) are behind these thefts.
“These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices. The SATGs are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags,” Newsome said.
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The FBI also noted that, in many cases, the homes targeted were equipped with unactivated alarm systems. Moreover, most of these incidents occurred when the houses were unoccupied.
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