Former Heat Security Officer Faces Federal Charge in $2 Million Memorabilia Theft
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Miami, Aug. 5, 2025 — A former Miami Heat security guard was brought before a federal judge Tuesday on accusations that he moved and sold millions of dollars’ worth of stolen team memorabilia across state lines.
Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, is charged with transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. Prosecutors from the Southern District of Florida and agents from the FBI’s Miami field office allege Perez sold more than 100 pilfered items over three years, reaping roughly $2 million.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Perez’s Miami home on April 3, recovering about 300 game-worn jerseys and other valuable pieces the Miami Heat say were taken from a secured equipment room at the team’s Kaseya Center arena. The organization had planned to display the memorabilia in a future team museum.
Court documents state Perez, a 25-year veteran of the Miami Police Department who retired before joining the Heat in 2016, had routine access to the storage area while working game-day security. He allegedly shipped items to online brokers at below-market prices; one Heat jersey worn by LeBron James in the NBA Finals was reportedly sold for about $100,000 and later fetched $3.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
Imagem: espn.com
Perez remained with the Heat until 2021 and worked as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025. Authorities contend he ultimately stole more than 400 jerseys and assorted collectibles.
Source: ESPN.com
