(NewsNation) — A South American transnational organized crime group is believed to be behind a string of burglaries targeting the homes of high-profile pro athletes, including Super Bowl champions Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow became the latest victim of the crime wave after his home was broken into while he was playing in a Monday Night Football game this week. The incident took place after Burrow announced that he had recently purchased a Batmobile.
Joshua Skule, a former FBI senior executive and the CEO of Bow Wave, LLC, told NewsNation that he believes the string of burglaries could be connected. In each case, trophies, jerseys and other sports memorabilia have been stolen.
The recent rash of break-ins is not the first time that organized criminal groups have carried out elaborate schemes, Skule said. He said that pro athletes are an easy target if they are not security-conscious due to their wealth, schedules and high-profile status.
“This provides a lucrative opportunity for those who are looking to take advantage,” Skule said.
The transnational crews rely on very sophisticated techniques to carry out their crimes. The organizations operate by jamming signals and security cameras, cutting alarms that are used to detect activity. Because of those methods, an additional level of security is needed to thwart the efforts, Skule said.
Skule believes that due to the level of media attention being devoted to the crimes, arrests could be imminent. However, he also says that pro athletes could also become more cognizant that their homes may be targeted and will work with team security officials to better protect their homes.
He said that while cases involving Burrow, Kelce, Mahomes and Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis have received more attention, other burglaries are likely taking place involving other players. Skule added that many of the items stolen from athletes end up on the black market and are very easy to trace.
Still, the volume of break-ins remains alarming because those allegedly involved in the break-ins do not remain in the country for long, cutting down on the time authorities have to conduct a search for suspects.
“This is becoming an epidemic,” Skule said.
