An investigation is underway regarding the burglary at the residence of New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, marking the latest incident in a string of high-profile break-ins targeting athletes. The Los Angeles Police Department told USA TODAY Sports that officers responded to a home in Los Angeles around 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday after two intruders forced entry by smashing a rear glass door. The suspects then escaped in a vehicle carrying stolen items.
While officials have not disclosed the specifics of the theft, ESPN reported that several handbags valued at over $60,000 were taken from a shared area of the home that Ionescu and her husband, former NFL offensive lineman Fronis Glass, occupy. Neither Ionescu nor Glass were present during the break-in, and no arrests have been made yet.
Ionescu is among several professional athletes recently victimized by home invasions, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, and Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Most notably, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedule Sanders’ home was burglarized on November 16th as he was making his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens.
In December 2024, the FBI issued a formal alert to professional leagues about an organized group conducting a series of these thefts.
Fan Take: This troubling trend sheds light on the vulnerability of athletes off the court, reminding WNBA fans and the league alike of the need for enhanced security measures. Protecting players’ homes and personal safety is soon becoming as crucial as their performance in the sport, impacting athlete well-being and the overall growth of the WNBA.
