NBA star Luka Dončić has become the latest high-profile athlete to fall victim to what appears to be an organized burglary ring targeting professional sports figures.
The burglary at Dončić’s home occurred on Friday night, according to his business manager, Lara Beth Seager, who spoke with ESPN.
Fortunately, no one was home at the time, and Dončić’s family remains safe, Seager confirmed.
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This break-in comes amid a concerning trend of similar incidents affecting other prominent athletes.
NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, have also reported burglaries at their homes in recent weeks.
The timing of the burglary at Dončić’s residence is notable, occurring just two days after the Slovenian basketball star suffered a muscle injury that is expected to sideline him for the next month.
Last month, NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero revealed that the league had issued a security alert to players, warning of a “transnational ring” of criminals targeting the homes of athletes across the United States.
The crime ring, reportedly based in South America, has been described as a “serious” threat to player safety.
“It’s legit,” a source told the outlet. “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.”
According to the report, members of the burglary ring use public records, media reports, and social media to determine when athletes are likely to be away from home.
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Team schedules and social media posts by players or their families are often monitored to identify the best times to target empty residences.
The perpetrators reportedly avoid confrontational tactics, specifically targeting unoccupied homes.
They rely on extensive surveillance to locate addresses and access properties, often during games or other publicized events.
Once inside, the burglars steal high-value items, including cash, jewelry, watches, and luxury handbags, with a focus on master bedrooms and closets.
“Multiple people with knowledge of the crimes said the perpetrators are nonconfrontational and do not burglarize homes while residents are inside,” Pelissero noted.
The burglaries have raised concerns about privacy and safety among professional athletes.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose home was also targeted, addressed the issue during a recent press conference.
“I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one,” Burrow said. “And way more is already out there than I would want out there and that I care to share. So, that’s all I got to say about that.”
He added, “We live a public life, and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy. And that has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career. Still learning. But I understand it’s the life that we choose. Doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”
The NFL and other sports organizations have urged players to enhance home security and remain vigilant.
Athletes are encouraged to invest in security systems and limit public information about their locations and travel plans.
The wave of burglaries targeting athletes highlights an alarming trend, with criminals exploiting the high visibility of public figures to orchestrate sophisticated crimes.
Investigations into the burglary ring are ongoing as authorities work to address the threat and protect those affected.
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