NBA encourages players to get guard dogs and update home alarms after burglaries

The NBA on Friday issued a memo urging players to beef up home security and consider purchasing guard dogs after a spate of burglaries targeting professional athletes.

The victims included Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The guidance was contained in a memo the league sent to teams, a copy of which was obtained by ABC News.

MORE: Police recover Travis Kelce’s watch after string of burglaries of athletes during games

In most of the burglaries, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that did not go off, the note said.

In addition to updating home security systems, the memo urges players to “remove any real estate listings with photos of your home from public websites” and “use dogs for home protection.”

The league also advised players to check the contractors who work on their homes.

The memo confirms an ABC News report that the FBI suspects many of the burglaries targeting athletes and other luxury home owners are linked to South American robbery rings, which are “well-organized, sophisticated groups incorporating advanced techniques and technology, including advance surveillance, drones and signal jamming devices.”

MORE: Home burglaries of athletes may be linked to South American crime gang: sources

Police believe the athletes are being targeted because of their game schedule. All the thefts occurred when no one was home.

The main interest is in cash, as well as items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and bags.

NBA urges players to get guard dogs, upgrade home alarms after burglaries originally appeared on abcnews.go.com