The FBI issued a notice to sports leagues earlier this month informing teams and players recent thefts Targeting professional athletes and advising them to protect themselves from future crimes, two sources confirmed to CBS News.
The advisory – a standard alert sent by federal investigators detailing reported robberies – said at least nine professional athlete According to sources, they were targeted in a series of forced entries into their homes across the country between September and November. The FBI warned that the behavior, which included using publicly available information to target homes and deploying technology to bypass security systems, is consistent with past practices adopted by international criminal organizations.
CBS News previously reported that the FBI is investigating the case and its possible connections to international gangs operating out of South America. This theory is one of several being examined by law enforcement and investigators are working to determine if the recent thefts are connected and if so, who may be responsible.
ABC News first reported the FBI's warning.
Bulletin – issued before news arrives Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic Reportedly targeted – sports leagues were advised to inform athletes about thefts and also listed how athletes could protect their belongings, especially when traveling to out-of-town games. Are travelling. According to two sources, no specific athletes were named in the notice.
In addition to Doncic, CBS News has previously reported vandalism to the homes of the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback joe burro, kansas city chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Minnesota Timberwolves guards mike connelly jrMilwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, and tyler seguin Of the Dallas Stars of the NHL.
Contacted by CBS News, the FBI did not confirm whether it issued the notice earlier this month, but said in a statement, “While we cannot confirm or deny the existence of any specific investigation The FBI monitors potential threats and regularly shares information with our law enforcement partners and the private sector to help protect public safety. We ask members of the public to report any Which they find suspicious.”