New York Knicks guard Josh Hart is no stranger to making headlines for his on-court heroics, but this fall, the 30-year-old NBA veteran found himself at the center of a very different kind of story. In early September 2025, Hart became the victim of a high-profile theft, with $185,000 worth of watches and jewelry stolen from his room at The Dominick Hotel in SoHo, Manhattan. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight and within a narrow 60-minute window, has sent ripples through both the sports world and the hospitality industry, raising fresh questions about security in even the most exclusive accommodations.
According to police reports and multiple news outlets, Hart checked into The Dominick—a 46-story luxury hotel-condominium known for its sweeping city views and Five Diamond AAA rating—while in New York to attend a September 6 event in Central Park. On September 5, Hart left his duffel bag in his room at approximately 12:30 pm. When he returned about an hour later, he discovered that a case containing three high-end watches and a valuable bracelet was missing. The total value of the stolen items? A staggering $185,000.
Hart reported the theft to authorities on September 8, and as of November 27, 2025, no arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions have been released. The investigation remains ongoing, with police confirming that they have not identified any suspects or made any progress toward recovering the stolen property. The brazen nature of the theft—occurring in a tightly monitored, upscale hotel—has left both guests and observers baffled.
Rob Saunders, a 46-year-old NBA fan from London who was staying at The Dominick at the time, expressed his surprise at the incident. "I'm surprised that I didn't hear about it—I'm a huge NBA fan," Saunders told reporters. "I've been staying at the hotel for 12 nights and had a really great stay, really great hotel, great staff. I felt safe and I'll be back." He added, "I mean, I'm from London, so, you know, when you're in a big city, there's always going to be a little bit of crime here and there. And there's always going to be something you can never help that, but certainly in my stay, I felt good, it didn't feel sketchy or anything wrong at any time."
Not all guests shared Saunders's sentiment. Sarah Sellam, 30, from Paris, had only stayed at the hotel for four days but was less forgiving. "Honestly, I'm not that surprised about the robbery," Sellam said. "Honestly, I didn't like the hotel, but I feel now that you told me that, I don't think I'm ever going to come back."
The Dominick, formerly known as Trump SoHo until 2017, is a landmark in the Hudson Square neighborhood, where SoHo, TriBeCa, and the West Village converge. Its reputation for luxury and exclusivity only heightens the shock of such a high-value theft occurring within its walls. The hotel is currently in the process of being rebranded as Delano SoHo New York after its acquisition by investment firm Cain for $175 million, a move that is likely to put its security protocols under even greater scrutiny in the wake of this incident.
For Hart, the theft is a jarring off-court distraction in what has otherwise been a strong tenure with the Knicks. Since joining the team in 2023—after a stint with the Portland Trailblazers—Hart has become an integral part of the squad, even setting the franchise record for most triple doubles in a single season in 2024. This season, he’s averaging 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, primarily coming off the bench for coach Mike Brown’s team. As of November 28, the Knicks boasted an 11-6 record, heading into a much-anticipated matchup against the injury-plagued Milwaukee Bucks.
Hart’s professional journey has been marked by both resilience and achievement. A former Villanova Wildcat, he helped lead his college team to an NCAA championship in 2016 alongside current Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges—a trio that has brought both chemistry and championship pedigree to New York. Now in his ninth NBA season, Hart is earning nearly $20 million this year, with career earnings approaching $84 million. Despite his financial success, the loss of such valuable personal items is a blow no athlete wants to face.
This incident is not isolated; Hart is just the latest in a string of high-profile athletes targeted by thieves in recent years. Earlier this month, Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders had $200,000 worth of goods stolen from his suburban Cleveland home during his NFL debut. Last season, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes raided during a game, and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s Ohio residence was broken into while he was playing in Texas. Even within the NBA, stars like reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Hart’s own teammate Karl-Anthony Towns have been victims of similar crimes. The pattern is unsettling, and it’s clear that high-profile athletes remain attractive targets for thieves, both at home and on the road.
The theft at The Dominick has also reignited a conversation about the responsibilities of luxury hotels to safeguard the belongings of their guests—especially those who may be at greater risk due to their public profiles. While many hotels tout state-of-the-art security systems and round-the-clock surveillance, incidents like this reveal vulnerabilities that can have costly consequences. Industry experts suggest that hotels may need to revisit their security protocols, increase staff training, and perhaps even offer additional protection or insurance options for high-value guests.
As for the Knicks, the team has not commented publicly on the incident, focusing instead on their promising start to the season. Hart, for his part, has remained tight-lipped, choosing to let his play on the court speak for itself. Still, the loss of personal treasures—watches and jewelry that likely carry both financial and sentimental value—can’t be easily shrugged off.
With the investigation still open and no suspects identified, the question lingers: how could a theft of this magnitude occur in such a high-end setting, and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future? For now, Josh Hart and the Knicks will look to move forward, eyes set on the hardwood, even as the echoes of this off-court drama continue to reverberate through the city and beyond.
One thing is clear—the spotlight is now on both the athlete’s resilience and the hotel’s security, as fans and fellow players alike watch to see what unfolds next.
