On the heels of the NFL issuing a memo to teams and the NFLPA amid a recent string of burglaries at players' homes, the NBA is following suit after Bobby Portis and Mike Conley Jr.'s houses were recently burglarized.
In a memo from the NBA to officials for all 30 teams that was obtained by the Associated Press, the FBI has connected some burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices."
The league's memo recommended players install updated alarm systems with cameras that are in use whenever the home is unoccupied and keep valuables locked in a secure safe.
Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the NFL issued a similar memo to players and security directors for all 32 teams about the FBI investigating a crime wave that has been targeting the homes of professional athletes in recent months.
Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burglarized in September when he was at a Minnesota Vikings game.
Bobby Portis Jr. was also the victim of a burglary on Nov. 2 when the Milwaukee Bucks were hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum. River Hills Police Chief Michael Gaynor said the burglary was similar in nature to those of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The homes for Mahomes and Kelce were burglarized the day before and day of Kansas City's home game against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7. One of the burglaries resulted in $20,000 in cash being taken from Kelce's house.
A criminal report of the situation determined there was no forced entry into Mahomes' or house. There was $1,000 worth of damage done to a door in the rear of Kelce's house.
The NBA memo, which includes information from the FBI, noted the theft rings are "primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags."
NBA players are also being encouraged to remove online real estate listings of their homes and "utilize protective guard services" when they take extended trips away from their residence.
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