NFL issues security alert about South American crime syndicate targeting athletes including Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes

The NFL sent a security alert to team security directors and the players’ union Wednesday about skilled and organized criminals that are targeting the homes of pro athletes, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. This comes after the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized.

Pelissero said the FBI is investigating the crime wave as international organized crime. The NFL, NFLPA and team security forces are also monitoring the crime spree, which is believed to be tied to a crime syndicate from South America. Pelissero added that one other current player’s home was burglarized this past week.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized in consecutive days last month in the Kansas City area. Additionally, Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Linval Joseph was part of a series of burglaries last weekend, according to police.

“It’s legit,” one source familiar with the situation told Pelissero. “It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country.”

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized in consecutive days

According to multiple people with knowledge of the crimes, the perpetrators do not burglarize while the residents are inside. They use public records to find players’ addresses and conduct surveillance. The perpetrators then track team schedules and social media accounts of the players and their families and wait until the homes are empty to break in.

The news of Mahomes and Kelce’s homes being burglarized was reported last week. While speaking to reporters at the time, Mahomes was asked about the situation.

“Obviously, it’s frustrating,” he said. “It’s disappointing. Obviously, something that you don’t want to have happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself.”

Mahomes resides in Belton, Missouri, and his home was broken into on Sunday, Oct. 6. Kelce resides in Leawood, Kansas, and his home was broken into the following day when the Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.