(NEW YORK) — Three Stanley Cup championship rings have been stolen from the home of Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin during yet another burglary in a series of thefts from high-profile professional athletes, authorities said.
The missing rings were reported at 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department on Wednesday.
“At 8:30 pm on January 11, Sewickley Heights Police requested the assistance of the Allegheny County Police Department’s General Investigations Unit for a residential burglary on Blackburn Road,” authorities said. “It was later determined the home belonged to Pittsburgh Penguins player Evgeni Malkin, who returned home from a game to find his home was burglarized.”
Detectives immediately began an investigation and discovered that Malkin’s three Stanley Cup championship rings were taken from the residence, police said.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” authorities said.
In December, the FBI issued a formal warning to sports leagues about organized theft groups targeting professional athletes following a rash of burglaries — beginning in September — at the homes of professional athletes while they were playing games or traveling.
“These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News.
The report stated that “organized theft groups allegedly burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes” between September and November 2024.
“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted,” the report further stated.
Burglars have recently targeted the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. In addition, the homes of NBA guard Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis have been burglarized. The FBI report does not specifically note or refer to any of these incidents.
“County Police are in contact with impacted law enforcement agencies, and at this time, detectives have not received any information indicating this incident is tied to any of the reported organizations targeting professional athletes across the country,” said the Allegheny County Police Department in reference to Malkin’s case.
The 38-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star is currently playing in his 18th NHL season and has scored 506 goals to date placing him 45th all-time in league history.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Allegheny County Police Department and police said the investigation remains active and open.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — The widow of hockey player Matthew Gaudreau, who was killed alongside his brother when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver, has given birth to their son four months after her husband’s death.
Madeline Gaudreau announced the birth of Tripp Matthew in an Instagram post on Sunday, sharing a photo of her and her newborn holding hands.
Tripp’s father, former pro hockey player Matthew Gaudreau, and his uncle, Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, died in August.
The brothers were home in New Jersey for their sister’s wedding and were riding bikes when they were struck by a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, left behind his wife, Meredith, and two children. Meredith was pregnant with their third child at the time. Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was survived by his pregnant wife, Madeline.
Meredith commented, “I love you Baby Tripp!” on Madeline’s photo announcement, while Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s sister, Katie, wrote, “Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! Aunt Katie loves you, mommy, and daddy SOOOO much.”
“He was born to be a dad,” Madeline Gaudreau said at the brothers’ funeral in September. “The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.”
“I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she said through tears.
Madeline and Meredith Gaudreau pledged to take care of each other and their children.
“Please continue to take care of John like you always have,” Meredith Gaudreau said in a message to Matthew at the service. “I got Madeline and Tripp.”
Madeline Gaudreau also made a point to urge people to not drink and drive.
“Please do not put another family through this torture,” she said.
The man suspected of crashing into the brothers, Sean Higgins, was arrested in August.
Higgins, who told police he had about five or six beers before the crash, failed a field sobriety test, according to the probable cause affidavit. He told authorities that his drinking “contributed to his impatience and reckless driving,” the probable cause affidavit said.
Higgins was indicted by a grand jury this month on charges including two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, according to Philadelphia ABC station WPVI. His arraignment is set for Jan. 7.
