Getty Image
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Linval Joseph has become the latest victim in a series of burglaries that have been targeting professional athletes’ homes. The string of robberies has led to some athletes hiring armed guards for their places of residence.
Earlier this week, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa revealed he has armed security at his house after having his car has been broken into in the past. This past weekend, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow also had his home broken into, but model Olivia Ponton was present when it occurred and called 911.
Other pro athletes who have been the victim of robberies over the past several weeks include Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley and Bobby Portis. As a result of the break-ins, the NBA has urged its players to increase their security and the NFL also issued security alert.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Linval Joseph’s home in Sunfish Lake, Minnesota was burglarized on Nov. 18 while the Cowboys played the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. This modus operandi has been a common theme: athletes’ homes being robbed while they are playing a game.
West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon said the burglars, believed to be tied to a South American crime syndicate, are “using some sophisticated techniques in order to determine when people at the home are leaving and where exterior cameras are situated on homes, and the burglaries have been the work of more than one person.”
Yahoo! reported that there were three other residential burglaries reported in Sunfish Lake, on Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and Nov. 15. One of the homes targeted was owned by John Johannson, who played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils in the 1980s.
“It’s legit,” a source told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country.”