Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte’s home was the target of a “high-dollar residential burglary” while he was away playing in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
Authorities in Scottsdale confirmed they are investigating the burglary that occurred Tuesday night, with the thieves stealing numerous personal items and jewelry from Marte’s home. Fortunately, no one was home at the time of the break-in.
A Difficult Summer for Marte
This burglary is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events for Marte. A few weeks earlier, during an away game in Chicago, Marte became the target of cruel mockery from a spectator, who allegedly made derogatory comments about his late mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017.
The abuse led Marte to break down in tears, a moment that went viral. The heckler was escorted out of the game and banned indefinitely from future Chicago White Sox events.
Despite the emotional distress, Marte had a brighter moment during his All-Star appearance. In the game, he hit a two-run double in the first inning, helping the Diamondbacks secure a victory.
A Rising Trend of Athlete Burglary Cases
Marte’s home burglary is part of a disturbing trend of burglaries targeting professional athletes. With athletes often traveling for games and spending long periods away from home, their residences become prime targets for burglars seeking luxury goods.
These crimes are becoming more organized, with criminal groups specifically targeting the homes of athletes.
Earlier this year, the FBI issued a warning to professional sports teams, highlighting that criminal organizations were increasingly focusing on athletes’ homes.
Similar burglaries have been reported involving athletes like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis, and Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The FBI’s Investigation into Organized Burglary Rings
The FBI believes that many of these burglaries are the work of South American Theft Groups, which are reportedly operating with a high level of sophistication. These groups often use burner phones and encrypted messaging to plan and execute their crimes.
The FBI also notes that the burglars tend to target homes with large luxury items, such as jewelry and designer accessories, while leaving behind other valuable items like electronics.
Once the thieves have stolen the goods, they sell them to “fences” — individuals who buy stolen items and resell them, often to international buyers. This method helps the thieves move their profits without the risk of smuggling stolen items across borders.
The Growing Threat to Professional Athletes
As the number of these burglaries rises, athletes continue to face significant risks to both their personal safety and their valuable possessions.
While the Scottsdale Police Department is continuing its investigation into Marte’s burglary, it’s clear that the issue of athlete-targeted burglaries is a growing concern, with law enforcement agencies like the FBI working to address these criminal activities.
