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A former Miami Heat security guard has been charged with stealing over 400 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia, then selling them online. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday on charges of transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. If convicted, Perez will face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of $250,000.
The former security guard, Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, of Miami, is also a 25-year retired veteran of the City of Miami Police Department. He was employed by the Miami Heat from 2016 to 2021 and later worked as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025.
How did he do it?
During his time working for the Miami Heat, the Department of Justice reports, Perez “worked on the game-day security detail at the Kaseya Center, where he was among a limited number of trusted individuals with access to a secured equipment room.”
It was in that equipment room that hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia were stored in anticipation of them being displayed in a future Miami Heat museum. The Department of Justice alleges that Marcos Thomas Perez accessed the equipment room multiple times to steal over 400 game-worn jerseys and other Heat memorabilia. He then sold the items to multiple online marketplaces including, reportedly, some on the black market.
“Over a three-year period, Perez sold over 100 stolen items for approximately $2 million and shipped them across state lines, often for prices well below their market value,” the Department of Justice said in a statement. “As an example, Perez sold a game-worn LeBron James Miami Heat NBA Finals jersey for approximately $100,000. That same jersey later sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $3.7 million.”
During a search of Perez’s residence in April, law enforcement seized nearly 300 stolen game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia. The items were later confirmed to be authentic by the Miami Heat.
Statement from the Miami Police Department
Miami Police Department Chief Manny Morales issued a statement on X (Twitter) about the charges against former officer Marcos Perez.
“I am deeply disappointed to learn of the federal arrest of Mr. Marcus [sic] Perez in connection with the theft of Miami Heat memorabilia,” he wrote. “While he separated from the Miami Police in 2016 and has not been affiliated with our agency for nearly a decade, any betrayal of the public’s trust, past or present, is a stain on the badge and the oath we all take to serve with integrity and honor.
“The Miami Police Department remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. We will continue working tirelessly to earn and maintain the trust of the community we are sworn to protect.”
How did he get caught?
NBA insider Amin Elhassan first reported the news of what he called “one of the largest heists” of sports memorabilia ever last week on The Dan LeBatard Show.
“What red flagged it within the memorabilia community is you never see people with this much stuff, right?” he said. “You might get a game worn jersey, but to get like a game worn full set? NBA Finals? For multiple players?”