Security officer from the Miami Heat, once employed, allegedly swipes and peddles a fortune in memorabilia from the team.
In a shocking turn of events, Marcos Thomas Perez, a retired Miami police veteran and former Miami Heat security officer, has been charged with stealing and selling millions of dollars worth of team memorabilia. The announcement of the charges was made by federal officials on Tuesday.
Perez, who worked with the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and with the league from 2022 to 2025, allegedly stole over 400 game-worn jerseys and other items, including rare NBA Finals jerseys, from a secured equipment room at the Kaseya Center, the home of the Heat.
The theft spanned multiple years, with sales occurring mostly between 2020 and 2023. Perez reportedly exploited his trusted access during his employment and sold the items below fair market value, mostly through online brokers and marketplaces.
One of the most notable items sold by Perez was a game-worn LeBron James NBA Finals jersey, which he reportedly sold for nearly $100,000. However, the same jersey later sold for $3.2 to $3.7 million at Sotheby's auctions, highlighting the significant undervaluation in Perez’s sales.
Law enforcement recovered nearly 300 stolen jerseys and memorabilia during a search of Perez's residence in April 2025. Perez was charged federally with transporting stolen goods across state lines, emphasizing the federal nature of the case.
The Heat confirmed that the items recovered were taken from the arena. The investigation into Perez's case is ongoing, and the FBI Miami is investigating the matter. The news release did not mention any comments from Perez's attorney or the Heat regarding the new findings.
The items stolen by Perez were intended for a future Heat museum, making this theft a significant loss for the team and its fans. The FBI is urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
[1] US Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida news release [2] Miami Heat statement [3] FBI Miami press release [4] Local news report [5] Sotheby's auction results
- The shocking allegation of Marcos Thomas Perez, a retired Miami police officer and former security officer for the Miami Heat, extends beyond the realm of crime-and-justice into the domain of sports, as he has been charged with stealing and selling millions of dollars worth of team memorabilia, including game-worn jerseys and NBA Finals jerseys.
- In a general-news update, it was revealed that the theft of over 400 items from the Miami Heat by Perez, spanning multiple years, not only impacted the team's revenue but also hindered plans for a future museum, as many of the stolen items were intended for this exhibit.
