Law enforcement agencies searching for Tom Brady’s missing Super Bowl jersey painstakingly reviewed security camera video of those who entered and exited the New England Patriots locker room at the end of Super Bowl LI. On Monday afternoon, Fox Sports NFL reporter Jay Glazer appeared on Colin Cowherd’s national radio show and revealed video that appears to show the man who took it. Then, on Tuesday, Fox Sports revealed a new version of the video where the man is identified.
The suspect, identified by several media outlets both in Mexico and the U.S. including the NFL’s own website, is Mauricio Ortega, a former executive with Diario La PrensaMauricio Ortega, a Mexican newspaper company.
EXCLUSIVE: In newly released video, alleged culprit in Tom Brady’s jersey theft identifiable without facial pixelation.
via @JayGlazer pic.twitter.com/BHb0zkrBMJ
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 21, 2017
Houston Police, together with the FBI and NFL Security, have been investigating the theft of the jersey for six weeks, largely due to its significance as an historic sports artifact and its value, believed to be $400,000 or more.
“Our investigators developed information from an informant here in Houston that led them to Mexico,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Monday. “As a result of that investigation, we were able to work with the FBI and Mexican authorities to respond to the suspect’s known location and look for the jersey.”
The NFL indicated the suspect appeared to be properly credentialed to enter the locker room and the video shows him entering several steps behind Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
The Associated Press reported that Brady’s jerseys are currently in Boston being authenticated.
Apparently, the much-publicized missing jersey wasn’t the only stolen Super Bowl artifact in the suspect’s possession. Brady’s Super Bowl 49 jersey was also recovered, according to the NFL. The helmet worn by Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was also recovered, according to Glazer.
“We have been in contact with NFL security regarding a Denver Broncos helmet that could potentially belong to Von Miller. As it is an ongoing investigation, we will defer all additional questions and inquiries to the NFL,” the Broncos organization said in a statement.
“I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved,” Brady said in a statement released through his agent. “I know they worked hard on this case — and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience.”
That last comment makes it sound as if the jerseys could wind up being sold as a fundraiser for charity. However, the Patriots also have a team museum at their Foxborough, MA headquarters.
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