In a startling incident, Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic fell victim to a burglary at his residence, with around $30,000 worth of jewelry stolen, according to reports from the Dallas Morning News. This event is part of a disturbing trend where professional athletes' homes are increasingly targeted by thieves.

The Dallas Police Department was called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Initial findings suggest that the intruders accessed Doncic's home through a master bedroom window sometime between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The basketball player’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, confirmed that Doncic was not at home during the break-in, and a police report has been filed.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd expressed support for Doncic, stating, “I’ve reached out to Luka and talked to him after that incident. He’s fine. Glad no one got hurt.”

This burglary isn't an isolated case; it follows a pattern of similar unfortunate events. Just last month, homes belonging to Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were also targeted. Mahomes’ residence in Missouri was broken into after midnight on October 6, and the following day, Kelce's home in Kansas was burglarized, leading to the loss of approximately $20,000 in cash and damage to the property.

Similarly, NBA players are not immune to these crimes. Mike Conley Jr. from the Minnesota Timberwolves reported that his home was burglarized while he was away attending a Vikings game back in September. Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis also revealed that he had items stolen the night before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of his possessions.

Authorities believe many of these burglaries are orchestrated by perpetrators who exploit athletes’ game schedules, using social media and public information to track when players are away. Disturbingly, some organized groups are reported to conduct surveillance methods, such as impersonating delivery personnel or joggers, to gather intelligence on their targets.

Recently, the FBI has linked many of these burglaries to transnational South American theft groups. A report indicated that in numerous instances, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated and were unoccupied during the break-ins.

As the circumstances surrounding Doncic’s burglary unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those in the public eye. Will authorities ramp up security to protect our athletes from becoming targets? Keep watching this story, and stay alert!