A storage unit packed with nearly $100,000 of Daniel Johnson’s gear was emptied in a lock-cutting spree. For an MLB player, memorabilia is more than just a collection of jerseys, bats, and personal gear. It is a reminder of the journey, the sacrifices, and the memories that shaped a career. But for former Cleveland Guardians outfielder, a storage unit packed with around $100,000 worth of belongings suddenly became the center of a shocking theft.
Even worse, some of the stolen items were meant to support children through his GFB Foundation. It gave the incident a far more heartbreaking dimension. However, the investigation soon took an unexpected turn. Police reportedly arrested two suspects, with the case revealing details that could make this theft even more disturbing.
“Phoenix police have arrested two men accused of stealing nearly $100,000 worth of gear and memorabilia from a professional baseball player,” Fox 10 Phoenix reported.
The break-in took place on the afternoon of September 27, 2026, between 3:00 PM and 10:30 PM. The two suspects, Daniel Jacob Thompson and Michael Charles Hummel, operated a serial lock-cutting scheme. They did not specifically target Daniel Johnson initially. Rather, they systematically moved through the facility, using bolt cutters to snap off locks from multiple units.
“They’re just going through and breaking locks and seeing what’s in it when they open it, and then in this case, you know, they got a very valuable unit,” said Phoenix Sgt. Sheree Lee.
On October 8, 2026, the Phoenix Police Department released surveillance images via Silent Witness asking for the public’s help. The very next day, the two suspects were caught after they attempted to sell a pair of the stolen collector’s shoes at a local pawn shop. An alert pawn shop employee recognized the men from the police department’s social media flyer and immediately contacted authorities. Police monitored the suspects, followed them to a nearby residence, and served a search warrant.
During the raid, authorities successfully recovered a significant portion of the stolen property. It included electronics, footwear, and clothing explicitly bearing the victim’s name.
Johnson and his fiancee were in the middle of a home remodel. To protect his extensive multi-team baseball collection and a massive personal shoe collection, they moved the items into the storage facility for safekeeping. “The apparel consisted of shirts, hoodies, jackets, shorts, long-sleeve shirts, sleeveless hoodies, batting gloves, and hats. I’ve had all the same gear from multiple teams,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s burglary got added to MLB’s long list of players who have fallen victim to theft.
MLB players increasingly becoming targets
Baseball players have increasingly become high-profile targets for residential burglaries and organized theft rings. Last year, Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez lost around $200,000 in high-end designer purses and jewelry to an armed ring targeting local athletes.
Ketel Marte’s house was also robbed during the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta while he was on the field playing for the National League. He also lost personal luxury items and jewelry.
Luis Castillo was also struck by the same Seattle-area theft ring that targeted multiple regional pro athletes.
While these incidents are beyond MLB’s jurisdiction, baseball players getting targeted is a concern. Daniel Johnson’s high-value loss added to that concern.