Evgeni Malin targeted in wake of break-ins at homes of NFL stars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, both of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Pittsburgh Penguins officials released a statement on Tuesday announcing that the home of their forward, Evgeni Malkin, had been burglarized. The break-in reportedly happened over the weekend.
![[Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/19/GettyImages-695042614.jpg)
Allegheny County police were dispatched to a burglary call on Saturday, but the department does not release the names of victims of crime, so it is unclear if the Saturday call was Malkin's. "We are working closely with local authorities and team security. Malkin has requested that his privacy be respected during this time, and we will have no further comment on the matter," a team spokesperson said.
The break-in at Malkin's residence is the latest in a series of burglaries at the residences of star athletes. Federal law enforcement is treating the burglaries as connected, organized thefts. The FBI issued a warning to sports teams and athletes last month that a criminal group was targeting their properties.
“These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report. According to the report, the group has "allegedly burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes" between September and November 2024. Malkin's home will likely join an updated version of that list.
“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted,” the FBI report said.
