NBA Star Josh Hart Robbed of $185,000 in Watches and Jewelry from The Dominick Hotel

The reported theft of nearly $200,000 worth of luxury watches and jewelry belonging to New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has raised concerns about high-end hotel security and the potential risks faced by high-profile athletes when traveling. The incident, which occurred in early September at The Dominick Hotel in Manhattan’s SoHo district, involved a duffel bag containing several high-value personal items that Josh Hart entrusted to the hotel before briefly leaving the property.

When he returned about an hour later, a watch case containing multiple expensive pieces was missing. Though the event shook the basketball community and surprised fellow guests, details remain limited, and the investigation is ongoing. The episode highlights both the vulnerabilities that accompany celebrity and the challenges law enforcement faces in cases involving high-value goods.

Hotel Drop-Off Leads to High-Value Theft

According to the account provided to police, Josh Hart dropped off a duffel bag at The Dominick Hotel on September 5. Inside that bag was a watch case holding three watches and a bracelet whose total value was reportedly $185,000. Josh Hart left the bag in the hotel’s possession before stepping away for about an hour. When he returned to retrieve his belongings, the watch case was missing from the duffel bag, prompting immediate concern and confusion regarding how the items had been removed without detection.

The luxury hotel, located in an upscale neighborhood and known for catering to celebrities, executives, and other high-profile clients, has not publicly detailed how the bag was handled or where it was stored during that hour. Josh Hart reported the missing items on September 8, three days after the disappearance, and police opened an investigation based on the report. As of the latest updates, no arrests have been made and authorities have not released details about potential suspects.

Law enforcement sources indicated that surveillance footage review, interviews with hotel staff, and an examination of check-in and valet procedures are all standard steps being undertaken. With no suspect description available, the case has presented difficulties, particularly given the foot traffic and employee access typical of large hotels.

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The high value of the missing items further complicates recovery, as luxury watches are often difficult to track once they enter private resale channels or are dismantled for parts. Despite these challenges, police continue to analyze the circumstances surrounding the theft and to look for leads that may identify who had access to the duffel bag during the brief window in question.

Guests React to Security Concerns at The Dominick

The high-profile nature of the theft has prompted reactions from guests and locals familiar with The Dominick Hotel, including individuals who were staying there at the time of the incident. One such guest, Rob Saunders, a 46-year-old visitor from London, expressed surprise upon learning that a significant theft had occurred during his stay. Saunders, who described himself as a devoted NBA fan, said he had not heard about the incident despite staying in the hotel for nearly two weeks.

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Saunders offered a positive assessment of the hotel’s environment, noting that his experience had been comfortable and secure. He emphasized that he felt safe throughout his stay and praised the staff, describing them as excellent. From his perspective, the theft did not align with his perception of the hotel, which he characterized as well-maintained and professionally managed.

While acknowledging that crime can occur in any major city, Saunders suggested that the event did not diminish his confidence in the property or New York more generally. He highlighted that large metropolitan areas always carry some level of risk, and isolated incidents are part of urban life. His comments reflect a nuanced outlook shared by many frequent travelers: even well-reviewed and reputable upscale hotels can face security lapses, but such occurrences are not necessarily indicative of systemic problems.

However, beyond individual impressions, this incident may prompt broader questions about how hotels secure guests’ personal property, particularly when handling luggage or valuable items. Most high-end hotels have protocols for storing bags, but procedures can vary between locations, and even strong policies can fail if not executed consistently. For athletes like Josh Hart, who often carry expensive personal items while traveling for games, training, or media commitments, such incidents highlight a need for heightened caution and for hotels to ensure strict adherence to security practices.

Hart’s Rising Career and the Spotlight of Professional Athletics

Josh Hart’s experience also underscores the intersections between professional success, public visibility, and personal risk. Josh Hart, who joined the New York Knicks in 2023, has quickly become an essential part of the team’s roster. During his first full season with the franchise, he set a new record for the most triple-doubles in a single year, demonstrating his versatility and value on the court. Known for his rebounding, defensive tenacity, and playmaking ability, Hart has developed a reputation as a reliable, hard-working guard capable of influencing games on multiple fronts.

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Prior to his tenure with the Knicks, Josh Hart’s career included stints with several major NBA teams. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for two seasons before being included in the 2019 trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles and moved Hart to the New Orleans Pelicans.

With New Orleans, Hart continued to grow as a player, spending three seasons there before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. His consistent performance and teamwork earned him respect throughout the league, ultimately leading to his move to New York, where he has flourished both statistically and as a core contributor to team dynamics.

As is common with athletes of his status, Hart owns luxury items, including high-end watches and jewelry, which are often collected for personal enjoyment, investment value, or as part of sponsorship and endorsement relationships. It is not unusual for professional players to travel with such items, especially during the offseason or between games. However, their visibility and the public nature of their movements can make them targets for theft, whether in public venues, hotels, or transit locations.

The theft of Hart’s items illustrates the vulnerability faced by public figures, even in supposedly safe and upscale environments. Hotel-related thefts involving athletes and entertainers have occurred in various cities over the years, prompting some to adopt stricter personal security measures or rely more heavily on private safes and secure transport services. While the investigation continues, the incident serves as a reminder that personal belongings of significant value are exposed to risk if left in shared or employee-access areas without comprehensive security controls.

For Hart and the Knicks organization, the event is an unfortunate distraction, though not one that appears to have any bearing on team performance or Hart’s role on the court. Nevertheless, the episode may influence how the player approaches travel logistics in the future and could encourage other players to reconsider how they store and transport valuable items while on the road.

The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain. With no suspects identified and no arrests so far, recovering the stolen items may prove difficult. Yet the incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of security in high-end hospitality environments and the importance of vigilance when handling valuables. As Hart continues his career with the Knicks, the theft serves as both a personal setback and a cautionary story for public figures navigating life in the spotlight.