Ex-cop thinks crime gangs used this terrifying method to rob Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and others

The Kansas City Chiefs' seemingly annual trip to the Super Bowl should only add to the anxieties of players like Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, both of who had their homes recently burglarized. And they're not alone. NFL players and pro athletes in general have been routinely targeted by thieves who can easily learn the whereabouts of the millionaire jocks by looking at their respective teams' schedules. Luka Doncic had $30,000 worth of jewelry stolen prior to his recent trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, and other NBA players like the Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves' Mike Conley have also seen their homes ransacked.

Recently a gang of four men from Chile were indicted by a grand jury in Clark County, Ohio after allegedly taking part in a string of home robberies, including the burglary of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's mansion in Anderson Township. Police found the group in possession of LSU and Bengals gear, which is believed to have been taken from Burrow's home. Officers say the men were in the country illegally after overstaying their permission.

Now Jeff Wenninger, a former high-ranking LAPD officer with three decades of experience, is revealing the methods such sophisticated burglars use to infiltrate the homes of the rich and famous. As he told the US Sun, it all starts with a jammer. Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City-area properties were burglarized in October. Kelce had an array of valuable items stolen from his $6million Kansas City property.

'Many burglary victims report getting notifications from their alarm systems while they're away,' Wenninger, now the CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, said. '[But] in the days leading up to the burglary, they may have noticed issues with their alarm. 'That's because these groups test their jamming equipment beforehand.'. Often using radio waves or cellular technology, the jamming equipment is aimed at disrupting communication signals to and from home security systems. This allows thieves to get in and out of the home in around 15 minutes without attracting law enforcement.

The gangs, Wenninger says, often come from Colombia and Chile. They typically enter the US on 90-day visas, and as one former NYPD officer told the Sun, are quick to move on once they've become known in any one area. 'Once they realize they've created a wake of reported crimes, they'll lay low or relocate temporarily,' said the former officer, who asked to go unidentified because he is still working in another sector.

They're also often disguised as construction workers, gardeners, or pedestrians. The NFL and the players' union have both issued advisements on the subject, encouraging athletes to avoid posting images of cash, jewelry and watches on social media. Players are also told to install security systems and to hide their valuables. The impact of these robberies can linger. As reported by the Sun, Kelce is still 'really bothered' by the horrific break-in at his $6million Kansas City mansion last year.

The Chiefs star, who is gearing up for next weekend's Super Bowl in New Orleans , has spent $9,000 on two guard dogs, installed 10 cameras and new lights and movement detectors at a cost of $40,000, according to The Sun . Kelce lost $100,000 in jewelry, $20,000 in cash, his first ever Super Bowl jersey and a watch that police found in Providence, Rhode Island in November after the October break-in. And while the 35-year-old, who is dating Taylor Swift , couldn't be having things any better on the football field as he bids for an historic Super Bowl 'three-peat' next week, he is still troubled by what happened at his home last year.

A source was quoted as described Kelce as 'still really bothered', adding: 'Travis felt the urgency of taking care of this situation as soon as possible. It was very uncomfortable to deal with. 'Travis decided to do things the best way, investing money on alarms and security personnel and dogs to put himself in the safest situation possible. All he wants is to be safe. 'Travis' house is a sanctuary for him and his family and loved ones. He doesn't want to go through a bad situation like the robbery ever again.'.

Burrow moved into the property in Anderson Township, Ohio back in late 2023. Mahomes also had his home broken into the same day. The NFL has sent a warning to every team that an international crime ring could be behind the break-ins, which have impacted players far beyond the Chiefs. The FBI is also investigating the crime wave. Kelce has not spoken publicly about the incident, while Mahomes didn't have much to say himself when he was quizzed about it at a press conference.