BIG BREAKTHROUGH
Travis Kelce’s stolen watch found in hunt for ‘crime ring’ that raided his $6 million mansion and NFL stars’ homes
The watch was found over 1,400 miles from where it was taken
COPS have recovered Travis Kelce's watch in their hunt for burglars who raided his mansion and the homes of other NFL stars last month.
Kelce's jewelry worth over $100,000, his first Super Bowl jersey, and designer clothes were stolen from his Kansas City home in the break-ins, which police believe were carried out by an international crime ring.
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Police found Kelce's watch in Providence, Rhode Island - more than 1,400 miles from Kelce's home in Leawood, Kansas, in Kansas City's metropolitan area.
The burglars appeared to know what they were looking for as they were in and out of the mansion within 15 minutes, a security source told ABC News.
Cops didn't initially reveal that a watch was stolen from the Chiefs star but said $20,000 in cash was taken in the break-in.
A source told The U.S. Sun, "Travis got upset as they stole some important items, including his first Super Bowl jersey.
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"And to have someone get into his private home is something he really got [uncomfortable] about."
SOPHISTICATED RAID
The FBI has joined the hunt for the criminals after a string of robberies at professional sports stars' homes over the past few weeks.
Kelce, 35, and teammate Patrick Mahomes' houses were broken into within the span of a few hours.
Cops got to Mahomes' mansion in Belton just after midnight on October 6, according to a police report from the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
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The U.S. Sun's source said the crooks stole jewelry and designer bags belonging to Mahomes' wife Brittany, 29.
Some of Mahomes' jerseys, medals, and trophies were also stolen from his man cave.
Patrick Mahomes labeled 'rare and unique' for locker room trait by Chiefs GM who praises 'ambassador' Travis Kelce
At around 7 pm the next night, Kelce's house in Leawood was broken into - just an hour before the Chiefs and New Orleans Saints were set for a Monday Night Football matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.
Star quarterback Mahomes, 29, broke his silence on the crime last week.
"Obviously, it's frustrating," he told reporters.
Diamonds are forever
Kansas City's newest Super Bowl rings feature 529 diamonds, 38 rubies and a nod to their game-winning play.
The Chiefs flashed their latest piece of jewelry at a special ceremony on Thursday, June 13.
The new bling features the years of Kansas City's Super Bowl wins - 1969, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
It also has a handwritten drawing of Andy Reid's 'Tom and Jerry' play which won Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime in February.
And the rings feature 22 diamonds to represent the points Kansas City scored in the second half and overtime.
Nineteen diamonds also represent their 11 straight winning seasons and eight AFC West titles in a row.
While there is also commemorative patch for the late Norma Hunt, the matriarch of the family which owns the Chiefs who died last summer.
"It's disappointing, but I can't get into too many details because the investigation is still ongoing.
"Obviously, something that you don't want to have happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself."
Kelce's superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was upset by news of the burglaries but remained unaffected as she didn't keep many items at the tight end's $6 million mansion.
"[Taylor] felt bad for what happened despite not having many belongings there, but felt bad for her man and for the Mahomes," the source said.
Mahomes reportedly beefed up security at their home just days after the robberies.
Additional robberies were reported at the homes of professional athletes in Minneapolis and Milwaukee.
'LEGIT' CRIME RING
Police believe a South American crime ring masterminded the crimes - and they've triggered a warning from the NFL.
The football league sent an alert to “team security directors and the players’ union Wednesday about organized and skilled criminals that are increasingly targeting the homes of professional athletes,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.
Pelissero said speculation about the crime ring was "legit."
"It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country," he said.
Leawood police declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
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Sources told ABC News that the burglars are targeting sports stars based on their game schedules - so they know when they won't be home.
The outlet reported burglars were posing as deliverymen, maintenance workers, and joggers to get surveillance of the homes.
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