In a shocking twist to an already bizarre case, the three missing Stanley Cup rings belonging to Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin have been found – at his own burglarized home. The discovery came Thursday night after an ongoing investigation by the Allegheny County Police Department into the burglary of Malkin’s residence in Sewickley, Pennsylvania over the weekend.
Cup Rings Vanish During Burglary
The peculiar case began on Saturday when Malkin’s home was burglarized just hours after the Penguins hosted the Ottawa Senators at PPG Paints Arena. Malkin, who has helped lead the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships, was sidelined for the game with an upper-body injury. The 911 call reporting the break-in came in a few hours after the 4 p.m. puck drop, with Malkin’s prized Cup rings among the valuable items reported missing.
Surprising Location of Stolen Rings
However, after days of uncertainty and distress for the hockey superstar, police announced the stunning news – Malkin’s cherished rings commemorating the Penguins’ 2009, 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup titles had been located right back where they belong, in his Sewickley home. The unanticipated discovery has raised more questions than answers as the burglary probe continues.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Allegheny County Police, the Sewickley Heights Police and the entire Penguins organization,” Malkin said in a statement released by the team. “The outpouring of support and concern from my teammates and fans over the past few days means so much to my family and I.”
How Did Police Miss the Rings?
While the recovery of the priceless rings is a relief, it also intensifies the mystery around the circumstances of the burglary and initial investigation. Reports indicate that at the time of the break-in, Malkin’s home security system was down and his safe had been left open, complicating the case. These details may explain how the rings could have been overlooked in preliminary searches of the residence.
String of Burglaries Targeting Athletes
Malkin’s burglary is just the latest in a troubling trend of break-ins targeting the homes of high-profile professional athletes, often while they are away competing. Over recent months, superstars across multiple sports have fallen victim to similar crimes, including:
- Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
- Travis Kelce – Chiefs tight end
- Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
- Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks guard
Sad to see the string of athlete home burglaries continue. Need to find out who is behind this growing crime wave. Thoughts with Malkin and family at this stressful time. #Malkin #Penguins #NHL
— Ryan McCartney (@RyanMcCartney21) April 3, 2023
The alarming pattern has prompted the FBI to warn sports leagues that crime organizations may be intentionally targeting athletes and their families. In response, the NFL and NBA have distributed security alerts to their players, urging increased vigilance and precautions, especially when teams are traveling for road games.
Investigation Continues into Malkin Burglary
As for Malkin’s case, Allegheny County police have affirmed that their work is far from over, emphasizing that the investigation remains active and ongoing. While locating the rings eliminates one perplexing facet of the mystery, authorities have not yet revealed whether they have identified or apprehended any suspects in connection with the break-in.
For now, Malkin and his family are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief that his hard-earned championship mementos are back in their rightful place. The hockey community will be watching closely as this strange saga continues to unfold, hoping that police can get to the bottom of this perplexing crime and provide peace of mind for the Penguins legend.
