Burglary Ring Targets Professional Athletes: Four Suspects in U.S. Illegally

In a stunning series of burglaries, homes of prominent professional athletes across the United States were targeted, with thieves making off with approximately $1 million worth of luxury items. Among these victims was Ja Morant, a player for the Memphis Grizzlies, whose home was burglarized on December 19, after the team's decisive victory over the Golden State Warriors. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office reported the incident on December 20, confirming their response to the burglary at an unincorporated area in Shelby County, Ohio.

The FBI became involved following a complaint filed on January 30 in Tampa, Florida. The investigation revealed that four of the individuals involved in these crimes were in the country illegally, as stated in a court affidavit. The burglars operated by splitting into smaller groups to efficiently execute multiple heists, targeting high-profile athletes such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, and Bobby Portis. The homes of players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other Memphis Grizzlies members were also among those burglarized.

Jewelry, watches, and luxury bags were among the stolen items. The Grizzlies' player identified in the FBI complaint as "Professional Athlete 6" was later confirmed to be Ja Morant. His home was hit sometime after 4 p.m. on December 19, coinciding with his team's overwhelming win against the Warriors.

Some of the alleged burglars faced arrest in January during a traffic stop in Ohio. They were charged with breaking into Joe Burrow's residence, further tightening the net around this group of criminals. The burglars executed their operations in various cities, including Memphis, Kansas City, and Cincinnati, indicating a well-planned and coordinated effort.

The Memphis Grizzlies are set to play at the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, marking their first game since the All-Star break. As the case progresses, authorities continue to piece together the breadth of this burglary ring's activities and their impact on the professional sports community.