Bobby Portis has been ceremoniously embraced by the Milwaukee community since becoming a member of the Bucks. Hence, the former Bulls forward was met with great disappointment when, in November last year, his home was burglarized. In the security footage shared, two thieves could be seen entering his premises. Items worth $1.5 million were stolen, including luxury watches, designer bags, and jewelry. And he finally might be getting justice.

According to ESPN, federal prosecutors have charged the seven men with the crime. It involves a string of robberies of high-profile athletes including Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Their houses too were broken into at a time they were playing for the Chiefs. It is also linked to Bobby Portis’ home burglary that took place in November last year.

In relation to Bobby Portis’ home burglary, initial arrests were made in Ohio late in January. Four men were arrested and an attorney for the River Hills Police Department claimed they could be involved in the string of home invasions of pro-athletes that took place last year. However, there was no conclusive evidence to prove the same. For context, Portis’ home is located in River Hills, Wisconsin.

This time around though, there could be some damning proof. According to the complaint, ESPN obtained from ABC, a picture of three men alongside a safe containing valuables is part of the investigation. The items in the said photo could be those stolen from the home of Bobby Portis on November 2, 202,4 when the Bucks forwards were playing a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Fiserv Forum.

There is no further update on the case thus far.

The NBA and NFL sent safety warnings to players regarding the theft group

Bobby Portis wasn’t the first NBA athlete to be affected by a home invasion. On September 15, Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves also experienced a similar crime. Jewellery was stolen from his home while he attended a Minnesota Vikings game. In the police’s findings, they recognized a ‘similar’ pattern between the Portis house burglary and the invasion at both Mahomes and Kelce’s homes.

The FBI reportedly mentioned the presence of a theft ring that was using social media activity and other mediums to track the players’ whereabouts before such crimes. These well-organized groups “incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones and signal-jamming devices” as per the statement released by the FBI.

In the wake of such happenings, the NFL sent warnings to the players to increase home security and keep their valuables safe. The NBA followed suit, sending the message across a memo.

The league asked the players to install updated alarm systems and also remove any online property listings to prevent revealing the interiors of such houses according to Yahoo Sports. At the time of his break-in, Bobby Portis was willing to offer a reward of $40,000 to anyone who could provide information regarding the crime.

This incident highlighted the horrors of having fame and luxury. For athletes, their public lifestyle makes them susceptible to such crimes even with all the necessary precautions. A home is meant to be the safest place for anyone. Having charming houses is arguably a great privilege. But it also has its dark side as with such technology and intricate planning, the fruits of hard work could be stolen away, as was made possible in this case.