For months, a band of bold thieves associated with South American gangs have made money from piles of gems and cash from the sports biggest superstar home, targeting things like the NFL Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelse.
The sophisticated Pilager deploys drones and signal jamming devices, posing delivery drivers and maintenance workers in some cases to access gate neighborhoods and block home security systems. Warning issued by the NFL and NBA.
However, in recent weeks, investigators across the US have made small arrests related to at least one of the most well-known robbers, exploiting stolen sports memorabilia, gems and art stuffed into storage units in New Jersey. I found it.
Stopped while driving in Ohio from a Cincinnati Bengals quarterback in January was charged with stealing designer luggage, watches and jewelry Monday. I did. Joe Burrow’s house. According to a federal complaint that was not sealed Wednesday, the photo showed one of the suspects wearing a sparkly necklace with the Barrow jersey number he was wearing during the interview.
“These individuals look like the tips of icebergs,” said Kenneth Parker, a US lawyer in southern Ohio.
Not only those belonging to athletes, but gorgeous watches and gems stolen from homes around the country were sold at pawn shops in Manhattan’s Diamond District and hidden in nearby storage units, federal authorities announced Tuesday. It was stated in court documents. Two men accusing them of fencing items.
It is not clear whether a series of robbers targeting athletes are connected to the same crew in South America, or whether those groups work together. Since then, federal authorities leading the investigation have narrowed The FBI warned in December The criminal organization was preying on professional athletes.
Superstar athlete targeting robbers at home
Investigators say that international crime rings have plundered high-end homes for years, but now they are chasing some of the biggest names in the NFL, NBA and NHL.
The thief broke into each other within days of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Mahome and Kelce, around the time they played New Orleans and Kelce in October. Superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift I watched the game from the stand.
Mahomes and Kelse on Sunday try to lead the chief to the record Three Straight Super Bowls title.
A gem worth around $30,000 was stolen from the NBA All-Star Luka Donsic’s House In Dallas in December. Pittsburgh Penguin Star Evgeni Malkin He reported a home break-in in January that occurred while his team was playing at home.
Corrupted String Similarity
Law enforcement officials warned the Sports League last fall that they were surprised on the day of the game when burglars knew that players weren’t in the home and often breaking back windows.
Several groups scoped out targets in remote areas by pretending to be delivery drivers or joggers.
The Barrow home in Ohio, sits on Gate Street, hiding along a wooded area, and was broken while in Dallas for a Monday night football game in December. The man charged with the invasion was found to be traveling with a husky glass breaking tool he purchased from Home Depot a few weeks later.
In addition to enhancing home security, players are encouraged to avoid posting their place on social media.
Thieves targeting items that can be sold underground
According to an NBA warning based on information from the FBI, the stolen rings focus on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxurious bags.
Two men charged in New York City this week He was accused of purchasing a stolen watchJewels and other expensive items from various robber crews have been resold at pawn shops in Manhattan since 2020.
Court documents say the pair is linked to five independent robber crews, and one of the two suspects was accused of breaking into the residence of a “famous Ohio athlete” He said he was tied to a man. Barrow’s house was attacked.
A judge on Friday refused pawn shop owners’ bail and said it was “sarcasmy” to release them just before the Super Bowl.
“This is one that Super Bowl defendants must watch from the bystanders,” U.S. District Judge William Kuntz wrote in his decision. “They won’t be players this weekend.”
