Update 11:33 a.m. EST Feb. 7: Police in Massachusetts are investigating after authorities said burglars broke into the home of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski while he was in Minneapolis playing in Super Bowl LII.
According to a heavily redacted police report, the break-in happened at 8:50 p.m., just five minutes after Gronkowski scored his first of two touchdowns at the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“This is Rob Gronkowski calling,” the football player can be heard saying in a recording of the 911 call he made about the incident. “While I was gone, my whole house got robbed – while on the Super Bowl trip, and I just got back.”
According to the police report, burglars were not able to get into Gronkowski's bedroom -- it was found locked and secured. However, items were taken from the his housemates’ bedrooms, and other valuables were stolen from common areas of the home.
Original report: In exclusive video obtained by Boston 25 News, police can be seen responding Monday to Gronkowski's home in Foxborough, a few miles from Gillette Stadium. In the video, Massachusetts State Police vehicles can be seen parked outside Gronkowski's home until about 11 p.m.
Gronkowski briefly appeared at the door of his home, but he did not say anything about the investigation.
Boston 25 News obtained a police audio recording of the responding officer talking about the break-in. In it, the officer says that “the homeowner… reports while he was on his trip, his house was broken into.”
>> On Boston25News.com: Foxborough police provide update on break-in at Gronk's house
The officer also mentions that “multiple safes” and “possible guns” were reported missing after the break-in.
Foxborough police Chief William Baker spoke with reporters outside the police station Tuesday morning and confirmed that Gronkowski’s home was burglarized while he was away in Minnesota.
“I think it’s kind of a tough combination,” he said. “You know, to have suffered this unfortunate loss and then to get home and be a victim of this kind of crime.”
A neighbor spoke with Boston 25 News early Tuesday and said he noticed something unusual Sunday at Gronkowski’s home.
“We went past the house on Sunday, about 12:30-1 p.m., and I happened to notice the gate was ajar, which is very unusual," Tom Savino said. "You never see that gate ajar. So, as a joke, my son and I said, ‘Gee, maybe we should just call the police or something.' Now I’m sort of sorry I didn't."
Gronkowski and the rest of the New England Patriots left for the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on Jan. 29, and didn’t return home until around 5 p.m. Monday.
Police declined to release additional information on the burglary as they continue their investigation.
“Whether you’re Rob Gronkowski or Bill Baker, being the victim of a residential property crime like that is unpleasant,” Baker said. “So, out of respect for Mr. Gronkowski’s privacy, and because this is an active and dynamic criminal investigation we are not going to release any information right now about what was stolen or whether any suspects exist.”
About the Author
