High-profile athlete Ty Jerome has recently experienced a burglary at his home. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard was away on a road trip when the incident occurred at his Los Angeles residence.
Jerome’s situation is part of a troubling trend, as other athletes such as Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow have also faced similar break-ins in the past few months.
While specific details regarding the stolen items from Jerome’s home remain unclear, police reports indicate that a window was broken during the burglary. Authorities confirmed that the intruders fled the scene swiftly after the crime.
FBI Investigation Launched
In response to these incidents, the FBI has launched an investigation into the series of burglaries, suspecting an organized crime ring may be involved.
According to a Liaison Information Report, the FBI stated, “These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash.”
They emphasized that while many break-ins occur when homes are unoccupied, some happen while residents are present.
In such cases, individuals are advised to contact law enforcement and refrain from confronting potential criminals, who may be armed and violent.
The report also reveals that the crime ring is known to use “Wi-Fi jammers to block Wi-Fi connections and disable devices, cover security cameras, and obfuscate their identities.” Investigators have identified a group of illegal South American immigrants as the primary suspects.
This group reportedly monitors athletes’ social media activity to time their burglaries while the victims are away.
Recent Victims in the NBA
Most robberies have taken place during road games, mirroring the circumstances surrounding Burrow’s break-in, which occurred while he was playing against the Dallas Cowboys.
Four Chilean nationals were identified as key suspects in that case, as authorities discovered a Bengals and LSU shirt among their possessions during a traffic stop.
Other NBA players have also fallen victim to this crime spree. The NBA Paris Games history includes several games, such as the Milwaukee Bucks defeating the Charlotte Hornets on January 24, 2020, and the Chicago Bulls triumphing over the Detroit Pistons on January 19, 2023.
Most recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a win against the Brooklyn Nets on January 11, 2024, with upcoming matchups featuring the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers on January 23 and 25, 2025, respectively.
In addition to Jerome, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has experienced a burglary at his home in recent months.
NHL players are also facing similar threats, as evidenced by Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin, whose Stanley Cup rings were stolen during a game.
