Travis Kelce And Patrick Mahomes’ Burglary Investigations See 'Major Breakthrough'
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on November 20, 2024 at 1:15 PM EST
Authorities are reportedly closing in on suspects responsible for the recent high-end burglaries targeting Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
As The Blast reported, the break-in at Patrick Mahomes’ Belton, Missouri estate occurred around midnight on October 6, just hours before Travis Kelce's own burglary at his Leawood, Kansas home.
Police Have Suspects In Relation To Travis Kelce And Patrick Mahomes’ Burglaries
It seems that the burglars behind the recent high-end thefts are part of a highly organized and intelligent crime ring.
Multiple sources have confirmed to FOX4 that police believe the culprits are members of a South American crime ring responsible for targeting high-profile homes. “This is a sophisticated operation. It’s not some guy that’s going down to the local pawn shop,” security expert Mike Barbieri said.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that this crime spree that is going across the entire country is designed by some very sophisticated people in somewhat of a cartel," he added.
Travis Kelce Reportedly Lost Around $100,000 In Jewelry
The burglaries took place just before a crucial game for the Kansas City Chiefs, who were set to face the New Orleans Saints in a "Monday Night Football" matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.
“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,” Barbieri said.
In Travis Kelce's case, it's estimated that he lost around $100,000 in jewelry, including his first-ever Super Bowl jersey. Meanwhile, Mahomes reportedly had a number of valuable items stolen, including jerseys, medals, trophies, and awards. The thieves also targeted personal belongings belonging to Mahomes' wife, Brittany Mahomes, making off with her jewelry and designer bags.
Police Believe The Crimes Have Been Committed By South American Crime Ring
Barbieri emphasizes that the crimes committed by these South American criminals are the result of extensive planning, with weeks of intelligence gathering and potentially even inside work within the homes prior to the burglaries.
“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 jobsite may know people in these cartels and may be selling the information,” Barbieri said.
Michael Barbieri, PhD, is a seasoned security expert with over three decades of experience in law enforcement and investigative fields. He has served as a senior investigator with Global Intelligence Consultants, Inc., operating out of St. Louis, Missouri.
His expertise includes national and international murder investigations, executive protection, and corporate security. Dr. Barbieri has conducted investigations in over 20 countries and has received additional training from entities such as the FBI, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Military.
Leawood Police Department Releases Statement
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 explains that none of this is surprising, especially considering what the criminals are getting away with. He notes that, like many people, wealthy victims often keep their most prized possessions in their bedrooms, making them the first target for thieves.
A Look Inside Patrick Mahomes' Missouri Mansion
Shortly after the news broke, Patrick Mahomes addressed the incident during a press conference, expressing his frustration but refraining from sharing specific details in light of the ongoing investigation.
"Obviously, it's frustrating," the NFL quarterback said at Wednesday's press conference. "It's disappointing." He added, "It's something you don't want to happen to anyone, but especially to yourself."
Patrick Mahomes bought the land for his Belton, Missouri mansion in 2020, where he built an expansive estate that includes a partial football field. The mansion was completed just last year.
In the Netflix series "Quarterback," Mahomes opened up about the property, saying, "I’m here to be in Kansas City for the long term. I’m part of Chiefs Kingdom and this house embodies that."