Falcons player Antonio Hamilton's home burglarized in Roswell
ROSWELL, Ga. - Around midnight Jan. 24, Roswell police officers responded to a burglary in progress at a home on Lum Crowe Road in Roswell.
What we know:
The homeowner, identified as Atlanta Falcons player Antonio Hamilton Sr., notified police that he had seen three individuals inside his home on a security camera actively burglarizing the property.
Hamilton told officers that the thieves took a safe containing firearms and multiple expensive handbags.
When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that the thieves had fled, leaving behind most of the items they had removed from the home near a fence at the home.
A K9 track was initiated but did not locate anyone in the area.
Roswell neighbors say crime is rare there
What they're saying:
One resident in Hamilton's neighborhood says the street is so safe that when emergency lights were down the road, he did not even think crime was a possibility.
"I just thought it was an old folk being carried off by an ambulance," explained Bernie Oddi.
Oddi says it is a very quiet and peaceful neighborhood and his pro-athlete neighbor kept a notoriously low-profile and many neighbors did not even know he lived there.
Oddi says he believes it was likely a targeted situation and he is not worried about safety in his area. "I think you can’t feel intimidated by sort of, if it’s random or it’s not random, you can’t feel uncomfortable. The world is not falling apart," stated Oddi.
Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the field during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Who is Hamilton?
The backstory:
Hamilton, a cornerback, began his professional career with the Oakland Raiders. He has also played for the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arizona Cardinals. He joined the Falcons in 2024 and played 11 games during the 2024 season, primarily on special teams.
Other Athletes Targeted
The backstory:
Multiple NFL and NBA players have been victims of burglaries over the past year, according to multiple sources. Among them are NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and NBA players Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
According to the FBI, organized theft groups from South America have been using publicly available information and social media to track athletes’ habits and movements. These groups employ technology to bypass alarm systems, block wireless internet connections, disable devices, cover security cameras, and conceal their identities.
The FBI is urging athletes to report suspicious activity, keep detailed records of valuables, employ additional security measures, and exercise caution on social media. Athletes are advised not to post photos of their valuables or the interior of their homes, or share details about vacation plans.
Ongoing Investigation
What's next:
It is unclear if Hamilton was targeted by an organized group. Detectives with the Roswell Police Department also responded and processed the scene for additional evidence. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information about the burglary should reach out to Roswell PD.