Phoenix police advise local athletes to be wary of robberies when they play out of state

PHOENIX — After a string of burglaries targeting pro athletes across the country, Arizona players are being urged to take extra precautions to protect their homes while they’re on the road.

Luckily, there are safeguards pros can take to avoid being victimized by the string of burglaries targeting professional athletes, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

“If you are leaving the house, make sure you notify family, neighbors,” Sgt. Brian Bower with Phoenix Police told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

It can make a world of difference for athletes who are on the road to play against other teams, he added.

Burglaries targeting professional athletes in fall 2024

Due to their conspicuous and public lives, pro athletes can make prime targets for organized crime.

Two stars hurt by the recent trend of burglaries targeting professional athletes were Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Criminals broke into both of their homes in October.

In response, the NFL send a security memo warning teams that pro athletes were trending targets by organized crime groups, according to the Associated Press.

The warning is especially pertinent as football season is in full swing, leading pro athletes to leave their homes to play on the field.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is the latest victim of the spike in burglaries targeting professional athletes. His home was broken into on Monday while he was on the road with the Bengals.

Several Arizona athletes, including those from ASU as they head into the 12-team College Football Playoff, are also on the road this season, making them potential targets for burglars.

“The police department is here to help, but we also encourage our community members to seek out help from their neighbors,” Bower said. “Make sure that they’re aware of your vacation plans so that they can help watch your house.”

A robust security plan, including a security system with fully-charged cameras, is especially expedient ahead of Christmas, as many people leave their homes to visit family. In fact, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is expecting to have more flights than ever before this holiday season.

“We all want to watch after each other and our goal is to make sure that we have a safe holiday season and to ensure that all of our property is back when we leave,” Bower said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s John Roller contributed to this report.

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