• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates

2

'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money

3

'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO

1

Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates

2

'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money

3

'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO
SuccessSports

Inside the ring of heists stealing thousands in luxury jewelry and watches from sports stars like Travis Kelce and Luka Doncic

By
John Seewer
John Seewer
,
Dave Collins
Dave Collins
, and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Seewer
John Seewer
,
Dave Collins
Dave Collins
, and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 10, 2025, 12:37 PM ET
Travis Kelce wearing a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and gold jewelry
Travis Kelce attends the 2023 REVOLVE Festival on April 15, 2023 in Thermal, California.Steven Simione—Getty Images

For months, daring bands of thieves linked to South American gangs have been making off with piles of jewelry and cash from the homes of the biggest superstars in sports, targeting the likes of the NFL’s Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Recommended Video

Sophisticated pillagers have deployed drones and signal jamming devices, sometimes posing as delivery drivers or maintenance workers, to gain access to gated neighborhoods and thwart home security systems, according to warnings issued by the NFL and NBA.

But in recent weeks, investigators across the U.S. have made a handful of arrests connected to at least one of the high-profile heists and discovered stolen sports memorabilia, jewelry, and art stuffed into storage units in New Jersey.

A group of Chilean men stopped in January while driving in Ohio were charged Monday with stealing nearly $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches and jewelry from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s house. Photos showed one suspect wearing a sparkly necklace with Burrow’s jersey number that he had worn during interviews, according to a federal complaint unsealed Wednesday.

“These individuals seem to be the alleged tip of the iceberg,” said Kenneth Parker, the U.S. Attorney in southern Ohio, who believes the men are working with South American theft rings that for years have been ransacking opulent homes from coast to coast.

Some luxury watches and jewelry stolen from homes across the country — not just those belonging to athletes — ended up being sold at a pawnshop in Manhattan’s Diamond District and stashed away in nearby storage units, federal authorities said in court documents released Tuesday that accuse two men of fencing the items.

Whether the entire string of burglaries targeting athletes are connected to the same crews from South America or if those groups are working together isn’t clear. Federal authorities leading the investigations have been tight-lipped since the FBI warned in December that crime organizations were preying on professional athletes.

Superstar athletes targeted in home burglaries

Investigators say international crime rings have looted high-end houses for years, but now they’re going after some of the biggest names in the NFL, NBA and NHL.

Thieves broke into the homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Mahomes and Kelce within days of each other in October around the time they played New Orleans and Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift watched the game from the stands.

Jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen from NBA All-Star Luka Doncic’s home in Dallas in December. Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin reported a home invasion in January that happened while his team was playing at home.

Similarities in the string of break-ins

Law enforcement officials warned sports leagues last fall that thieves had been striking on game days when they knew the players would not be home, often smashing through rear windows.

Some of the groups scoped out their targets by posing as home delivery drivers or joggers in secluded neighborhoods.

Burrow’s home in Ohio, which sits on a gated street tucked along a wooded area, was broken into while he was in Dallas for a Monday Night Football game in December. The men charged in the invasion were found weeks later traveling with a Husky glass-breaking tool that one of them bought at Home Depot, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit.

Players have been advised to not only beef up their home security but also avoid posting their whereabouts on social media.

Read more from Fortune

  • This entrepreneurial couple cashed out their 401(k)s and sold a $126 million company—now, they run a U.K. soccer team
  • Trump’s 25% tariffs are backfiring and threatening Gen Z’s trade career aspirations—putting car manufacturing jobs in peril
  • Gen Z women are being sold a risky dream: the realities behind ‘investing’ in designer bags like the Hermès Birkin
  • Like Tim Cook and Gen Z, AEG’s top exec eats the same lunch most days and wears the same outfit
  • Warren Buffett reveals the unique education strategy he took in school—and eventually paid off with a $170 billion fortune
  •  

    Thieves targeting items that can be sold underground

    The theft rings are focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury bags, according to an NBA warning based on information from the FBI.

    The two men indicted this week in New York City were accused of buying stolen watches, jewelry and other expensive items from a variety of burglary crews and reselling them at their pawnshop in Manhattan since 2020.

    Court documents said the pair were tied to five separate burglary crews and linked one of the two suspects to the men accused of breaking into the residence of a “high-profile athlete in Ohio” on the same day that Burrow’s home was hit.

    A judge on Friday denied bail for the pawnshop owners, saying it would be “ironic” to release them just before the Super Bowl.

    “This is one Super Bowl Defendants will have to watch from the sidelines,” U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz wrote in his decision. “They will not be players this weekend.”

    The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
    About the Authors
    By John Seewer
    See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
    By Dave Collins
    See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
    By The Associated Press
    See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

    Latest in Success

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025

    Most Popular

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Fortune Secondary Logo
    Rankings
    • 100 Best Companies
    • Fortune 500
    • Global 500
    • Fortune 500 Europe
    • Most Powerful Women
    • World's Most Admired Companies
    • See All Rankings
    • Lists Calendar
    Sections
    • Finance
    • Fortune Crypto
    • Features
    • Leadership
    • Health
    • Commentary
    • Success
    • Retail
    • Mpw
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • CEO Initiative
    • Asia
    • Politics
    • Conferences
    • Europe
    • Newsletters
    • Personal Finance
    • Environment
    • Magazine
    • Education
    Customer Support
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Single Issues For Purchase
    • International Print
    Commercial Services
    • Advertising
    • Fortune Brand Studio
    • Fortune Analytics
    • Fortune Conferences
    • Business Development
    • Group Subscriptions
    About Us
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Instagram icon
    • Pinterest icon

    Latest in Success

    Two men sitting on chairs on a stage
    Future of WorkBrainstorm Tech
    Your career needs a ‘gym membership’ to keep up with continuous AI advancements, says Campus founder Tade Oyerinde
    By Amanda GerutJune 8, 2026
    2 hours ago
    As America nears its 250th, roughly half thinks the American Dream isn’t true anymore
    North Americademocracy
    As America nears its 250th, roughly half thinks the American Dream isn’t true anymore
    By The Associated Press, Gary Fields, Linley Sanders and Nicholas RiccardiJune 8, 2026
    4 hours ago
    Young people working in an office.
    EconomyGen Z
    Gen Z might be the flakiest generation when it comes to career and life decisions. They might also be the most intentional
    By Tristan BoveJune 8, 2026
    8 hours ago
    Jeff Bezos commits himself to make ‘three good decisions a day,’ inspired by Warren Buffett’s philosophy of making smart choices
    SuccessJeff Bezos
    Jeff Bezos commits himself to make ‘three good decisions a day,’ inspired by Warren Buffett’s philosophy of making smart choices
    By Sydney LakeJune 8, 2026
    10 hours ago
    John Furner, CEO, Walmart US
    SuccessCost of living
    Even the ultra-wealthy are having to shop in Walmart right now, CEO John Furner says: ‘We’re meeting more of them, they’re buying more’
    By Emma BurleighJune 8, 2026
    10 hours ago
    Costco CEO Ron Vachris
    SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
    Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title,’ is the career advice that got him there
    By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
    10 hours ago

    Most Popular

    Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
    Success
    Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
    By Preston ForeJune 7, 2026
    1 day ago
    'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money
    Economy
    'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money
    By Nick LichtenbergJune 7, 2026
    2 days ago
    'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO
    Economy
    'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO
    By Jim EdwardsJune 8, 2026
    15 hours ago
    Trump stunned as stocks fall on great jobs report. Barclays explains why ‘we are entering the warning zone'
    Big Tech
    Trump stunned as stocks fall on great jobs report. Barclays explains why ‘we are entering the warning zone'
    By Eva RoytburgJune 7, 2026
    1 day ago
    SpaceX's IPO will also be a massive selling event triggering big price dislocations across the stock market as investors dump shares to buy SPCX
    Investing
    SpaceX's IPO will also be a massive selling event triggering big price dislocations across the stock market as investors dump shares to buy SPCX
    By Jason MaJune 7, 2026
    1 day ago
    Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
    Personal Finance
    Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
    By Joseph HostetlerJune 8, 2026
    12 hours ago

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.