Former Miami Heat Security Guard Charged in $2M Memorabilia Theft

Marcos Thomas Perez, a former Miami Heat security guard and retired Miami police officer, has been federally charged with stealing over 400 game-worn jerseys and memorabilia worth approximately $2 million from the Kaseya Center, where the items were intended for a future team museum. Perez, who worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and NBA security from 2022 to 2025, allegedly sold more than 100 stolen pieces online for far less than their market value, including a LeBron James 2013 NBA Finals Game 7 jersey sold for $100,000 before later fetching $3.7 million at Sotheby’s. The FBI recovered nearly 300 additional stolen items during a raid on Perez’s home in April, all confirmed by the Heat as missing from their inventory. NBA analyst Amin Elhassan called this case one of the largest memorabilia heists in U.S. sports history, while Miami Police Chief Manny Morales condemned the betrayal of public trust. Perez appeared in federal court for his first hearing, but potential sentencing details have not been announced as investigations continue. The Miami Heat organization has yet to issue a public response regarding the theft.