Crime ring may be behind home burglaries of Mahomes, Kelce, other athletes: police
One security expert says it appears to be "a sophisticated operation."
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Investigators believe a South American crime ring may be behind the October burglaries reported at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Nexstar's WDAF in Kansas City has learned.
This comes after WDAF obtained video of another recent incident in which alleged burglars hit another high-end home in the Kansas City area, getting away with more than $500,000 in jewelry.
"This is a sophisticated operation, it's not some guy that's going down to the local pawn shop,” security expert Mike Barbieri said Tuesday.
Multiple sources confirmed with WDAF that police believe the thieves behind these high-end burglaries are members of a South American crime ring.
"If you have a particular individual that's an athlete, a wealthy CEO, you can find out just about anything you need to find out about these people online,” he explained.
Mahomes, Kelce, and the third victim WDAF worked to find do not appear to be the lone targets in what appears to be a calculated crime spree. Other high-profile incidents victimized Minnesota Timberwolves' Mike Conley Jr. as well as Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis, who claims thieves walked out with most of his prized possessions while he was away at a game.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 5: Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City Chiefs (L) and teammate Travis Kelce look on during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images) 
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero) 
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) plays against the Indiana Pacers during the first half in Game 2 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
River Hills police chief Michael Gaynor recently told local Milwaukee outlet WISN that there are "striking similarities" between the reported burglaries at the homes of Mahomes, Kelce, Portis, and Conley Jr.
According to Barbieri, groups like the one believed to be behind these robberies often begin preparing weeks in advance and may even work inside the homes.
"Anybody that's had their home worked on recently and then miraculously had it burglarized, you can draw a very interesting conclusion from that. Some of the people that were on the job site may know people in these cartels and may be selling the information,” Barbieri explained.
In a statement, the Leawood Police Department said:
“Leawood Police Department will not comment on any open investigations. Our agency follows up on all investigative leads and works closely with victims to solve open cases. The Leawood Police Department is dedicated to the public we serve and will work tirelessly to ensure the City of Leawood remains one of the safest cities in the State of Kansas."
Barbieri says none of this is shocking, especially the things they are getting away with, saying just like us, wealthy victims keep a lot of their prized possessions in their bedrooms and thieves go there first.
Addy Bink contributed to this report.
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