Stolen LeBron James' Miami Heat jersey found sold for a massive $3.7 million.
Former Miami Heat Security Employee Accused of One of the Largest Sports Memorabilia Thefts
Marcos Thomas Perez, a 25-year veteran of the City of Miami Police Department, has been charged with orchestrating one of the most brazen memorabilia thefts in NBA history. Perez, who worked for the Miami Heat as a security officer from 2016 to 2021 and later for the NBA as a security staffer until early 2025, is currently facing federal charges for his alleged actions.
Perez had unfettered access to the equipment room housing jerseys worn by franchise legends, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, at the Kaseya Center. Instead of safeguarding these items, Perez allegedly funneled them to online brokers at deep discounts.
The Heat confirmed that the recovered memorabilia included stolen items from their facilities. One of the most notable items was a LeBron James NBA Finals jersey, which Perez allegedly sold for $100,000. This sale accounted for the bulk of what analysts describe as one of the largest sports memorabilia heists ever. The single sale of the LeBron James jersey nearly quadrupled the amount Perez originally received, as it later fetched $3.7 million at a Sotheby's auction.
The investigation into Perez's actions is described as high-stakes. The FBI continues to investigate the case, which has already drawn comparisons to a recent high-profile theft at Augusta National Golf Club. Perez appeared in federal court in Miami on August 5 and is facing charges of transporting stolen goods across state lines.
No comments have been made publicly by Perez's attorney or Heat representatives. The sentence for this felony can be up to 10 years in prison. As the case unfolds, more details are expected to emerge about the extent of Perez's alleged theft and the impact it has had on the Miami Heat's memorabilia collection.
[1] Perez worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and later for the NBA as a security staffer until early 2025. [2] On April 3, authorities searched Perez's home and recovered nearly 300 additional pieces of memorabilia. [3] Perez collected roughly $2 million from selling the stolen memorabilia. [4] The Heat confirmed that the recovered memorabilia included stolen items from their facilities. [5] Perez appeared in federal court in Miami on August 5 and is facing charges of transporting stolen goods across state lines. [6] This case, United States v. Perez, No. 25-cr-20346, has already drawn comparisons to a recent high-profile theft at Augusta National Golf Club. [7] The investigation into Perez's actions is described as high-stakes. [8] Perez spent years removing more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other valuables from a secured equipment room in the Heat's home arena. [9] The sentence for this felony can be up to 10 years in prison. [10] Perez, a 25-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, was entrusted with safeguarding items destined for a future team museum. [11] The sale of the LeBron James jersey accounted for the bulk of what analysts describe as one of the largest sports memorabilia heists ever. [12] The FBI continues to investigate the case.
- Despite being a 25-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, Marcos Thomas Perez stands accused of transporting stolen goods across state lines, as a result of his alleged activities as a security staffer for the NBA and Miami Heat.
- Rumors surrounding Perez's actions have led to comparisons with a recent high-profile theft at Augusta National Golf Club, and have shed light on the general news topic of crime-and-justice within the sports world, particularly basketball and the NBA.
- According to analysts, the sale of a LeBron James NBA Finals jersey, one of the memorabilia items recovered from Perez's home, nearly quadrupled the amount initially received and accounts for the bulk of what they describe as one of the largest sports memorabilia heists ever.
