MIAMI - While Miami Heat star Chris Bosh was out celebrating his birthday at a Morocco-themed party complete with live camels, police said Thursday that thieves made off with about US$340,000 in jewelry from the player's nearby home.
Miami Beach police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said the department received a call about 12:30 a.m. after Bosh and his wife, Adrienne, returned from the party at a bayside Miami nightspot. Hernandez said the couple noticed a jewelry drawer was open and numerous watches, rings and purses were missing.
There was no sign of forced entry at the waterfront, 12,368-square-foot home, which Bosh purchased in 2010 for $12.3 million. Hernandez also said easily traceable items such as Bosh's Heat championship ring from last year's NBA title were left undisturbed.
"We think it was probably an inside job," Hernandez said. "It's very difficult to prevent crimes such as this from happening."
Police were interviewing Bosh's housekeepers and anyone else, such as a contractor or repair person, who may have recently had access to the home. They were also fanning out to check local pawn shops for the stolen items.
The former Toronto Raptor, celebrating his 29th birthday, arrived at the party Wednesday night via helicopter and a yacht. Numerous local and social media sites reported that most fellow Heat players were there, including stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, many of them dressed in Saharan garb.
Guests were greeted by a pair of camels 鈥� Henri and Jacob 鈥� at the door and the birthday cake was a jewel-festooned chocolate elephant ridden by a miniature Bosh figure. Entertainment included belly dancers and fire eaters.
The six-foot-11 Bosh, now in his 10th NBA season, is averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for the first-place Heat. His actual birthday was March 24, but the celebration was delayed until Wednesday.
