Luka Dončić is the latest high-profile sports star to have his home robbed, in what has become a disturbingly prevalent trend among wealthy professional athletes.
The robbery at the Dallas Mavericks point guard’s home occurred on Friday night, according to Dončić’s business manager.
“No one was home at the time and fortunately Luka and his family are safe,” Lara Beth Seager told ESPN. “Luka has filed a police report and an investigation is underway.”
However, approximately $30,000 worth of jewelry was stolen, according to a police report seen by the Dallas Morning News. The police report also indicated that someone broke the window in the master bathroom of Dončić’s house and that the robbery occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Private security was monitoring the residence.
The Mavericks began a four-game road trip with Friday’s 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns that included a fight and three ejections. The team will play three more road games from December 28 to January 1.
However, Dončić was not with the team for Friday’s game as he recovers from a left calf injury suffered in Wednesday’s 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The five-time All-Star is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.
In November, the NBA issued a warning to players recommending increased home security after the homes of Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves were burglarized.
The league note informed teams and players that the FBI connected recent high-profile robberies, which also involved NFL stars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow, to “South American transnational robbery groups.”
The FBI warned that the groups are “sophisticated, well-organized rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices,” according to the associated press.
NBA teams and players were told that the theft rings “focused primarily on cash and items that could be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury handbags.” The NBA warning followed a security alert from the NFL to teams and players after Kelce reportedly had $20,000 stolen from his home.