Worth $100,000, sold for $3.7 million.
Marcos Thomas Perez, 62 years old, a former Miami Heat security officer, was retired for 25 years veteran from the Miami Police Department before Perez became a security officer for Miami Heat. Perez worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and was an NBA security officer from 2022 to 2025.
Perez pleaded guilty on August 19, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida for transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. There are around 3 security officers who have access to this safe that stored all of these things, and he was one of them. More than 400 jerseys were stolen and other memorabilia items. Over three years Perez was stealing these items. Perez sold more than 100 items that was stolen were for about $2 million and shipped out across state lines. The items were sold on various online marketplaces across the states. For example, Perez sold LeBron James’s Miami Heat NBA Finals worn jersey that was worth around $100,00 for about $3.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
April 3, 2025, law enforcement got a search warrant at Perez’s residence and were able to recover 300 more stolen game-worn jerseys and memorabilia items. Miami Heat confirmed they had been stolen from their facility, their safe Perez had access too.
Miami Heat and Miami’s FBI are still investigating this case. This case is way more than just stealing some jerseys. Perez stole greatly cherished and meaningful items and jerseys that not all can be traced back to get back to Miami. This is a very unfortunate thing to happen to Miami and the players and former players that kept their stuff there thinking it will be safe.
