NFL PANICS! Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were TARGETED by ILLEGAL ALIEN GANGS!
NFL warns players that burglary gangs posing as joggers are targeting homes
Travis Kelce is among the players who have been the victims of break-ins. Photograph: Denny Medley/USA Today Sports
The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union on Thursday after recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
In a memo obtained by the Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted.
Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood.
Burglars have entered through side doors, via balconies, or second-floor windows. They have targeted homes in secluded areas and focus on master bedrooms and closet areas.
Players were warned to avoid updating any social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day. Posting expensive items on social media is discouraged.
The homes of Mahomes and Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month. The break-ins happened just before and the day of Kansas City’s home victory over the New Orleans Saints. No injuries were reported in either case.
Home Security Experts Share Important Insights About the Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes Burglaries
These NFL Players’ Homes Were BurglarizedIcon Sportswire via Getty Images // Perry Knotts via Getty Images
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Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes dealt with every homeowner’s worst nightmare last month; The Chiefs players’ Kansas City-area homes were burglarized—and both of the break-ins happened within 48 hours of each other. From Kelce’s and Mahomes’s property incidents comes a reminder of an easy and free safety measure homeowners can take to protect their own residences: Be mindful of showcasing your life online.
“Unlike NFL athletes, whose schedules are often publicly known, most homeowners can enhance their security by avoiding the sharing of travel plans or location updates on social media,” Tim McKinney, vice president of ADT Custom Home Services, tells House Beautiful. “Even casual posts—like an airport selfie or a tagged photo from an out-of-state national park visit—can provide clues that your home is unattended.”
According to police reports obtained by People, Mahomes’s Belton, Missouri, estate—which spans eight acres and includes a 50-yard football field—was broken into around midnight on Sunday, October 6. There were no signs of forced entry. Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas—which he reportedly purchased around a year ago for $6 million—was broken into around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, while the Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri. Police reported that a rear door was broken, and $20,000 in cash was taken.
Mark Stokes, president of a leading home security provider Cove, agrees that one of the biggest lessons here is the importance of discretion. “In today’s digital world, it’s all too easy to unintentionally signal when our homes are empty—especially through social media,” he tells House Beautiful. “Whether you’re posting about a vacation or even a night out, you might be sharing more than you realize.”
While no one can be entirely immune to burglary, there are plenty of other security steps homeowners can take. McKinney recommends “using automated smart home devices, such as lighting systems, to create the appearance of occupancy when you’re away.” He notes the strongest defense against burglary is “a comprehensive smart home security system with the ability to remotely view and control video, locks, and lighting.” That can also include door and window sensors, motion detectors, indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks.
For even more peace of mind, it is possible to hire professional monitoring, which McKinney explains “offers 24/7 oversight by trained specialists who can swiftly respond to emergencies on your behalf.” If a break-in occurs, McKinney says those “professionally monitored systems can dispatch emergency services up to eight times faster than self-monitored setups.”
Stokes adds that for everyday families who don’t have the budget for private security teams, as celebrities might, “a professionally monitored security system is an affordable and effective way to protect what matters most.”
Making any investment in home security isn’t simply about protecting your valuables. “It’s about peace of mind,” Stokes says. “When you know your home is secure, you can live your life without constantly worrying about what’s happening while you’re away.”
And if you are fortunate enough to enjoy a home packed with convenient smart appliances and tech-forward devices, it’s also a good idea to shield those from cybercriminals.
