Yoshinobu Yamamoto's residence subject to a break-in attempt during the Dodgers' away game
In a series of high-profile home burglaries, star athletes have found themselves victims of organized criminal groups, most recently including Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, who is currently in Cincinnati for a three-game series, had an attempted burglary at his Los Angeles-area home earlier this week. The group, reported to be Chilean nationals, smashed a glass door and multiple windows before fleeing upon the arrival of private security, who promptly called 911.
As of this article, Yamamoto stands at 9-7 with a 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts in 21 starts. He earned his first All-Star nod this season and is in the second season of a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers. Interestingly, the Mets offered a similar contract to Yamamoto when he came over from Japan last year.
The value of the valuables stolen by the Chilean nationals exceeded $2 million, a common trend in these burglaries, which often involve jewelry, luxury watches, and sports memorabilia. Other notable victims in this recent wave include Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, LAFC soccer star Olivier Giroud, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, and Texans legend Andre Johnson, among others.
These burglaries are conducted by organized criminal groups, some of which are referred to as "burglary tourists," exploiting visa programs, using aerial maps for detailed reconnaissance, signal jammers to disable cameras, avoiding guard dogs with pepper spray, and communicating via walkie-talkies to avoid phone tracking. The FBI has issued warnings to professional sports leagues about these groups, which time their heists for when athletes are away playing games and conduct extensive research on their targets.
To combat these sophisticated burglaries, athletes are advised to enhance their home security systems, limit public knowledge of their absences, collaborate with local law enforcement for threat assessments and neighbourhood watch programs, and secure their valuable possessions in advanced safes. It is essential for athletes to prioritize their safety measures, ensuring that their homes remain secure when they are away on the field.
Yamamoto, who allowed one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts during a win against the Reds on Monday, is expected to continue his strong performance on the field. The Dodgers will face the Cincinnati Reds for two more games before returning to Los Angeles.
Despite the recent attempted burglary at his home, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to excel in sports, earning praise for his performance in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, general-news outlets have reported an increase in crime-and-justice incidents involving valuable sports memorabilia, with Yamamoto among the victims in a wave of burglaries committed by organized criminal groups.
