Eight gamers from a Philadelphia youth soccer staff allegedly stole over $2,000 price of merchandise from a Dick’s Sporting Items whereas in Florida for a nationwide championship match, because the native sheriff tore into the “final loser” coach who cried to get the youngsters’ costs dropped.
The juvenile suspects, a part of the United Thoroughbreds under-14 staff, have been hours away from kickoff within the Prolifix Nationals match once they determined to take an Uber to the shop in Davenport, Florida, on Dec. 6, the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned.
The delinquents have been captured on safety cameras coming into the shop simply earlier than 11 a.m. the place they launched the daylight heist, in response to footage shared by the sheriff’s workplace.
One of many children, 15-year-old Marcus Hudgens, made a purchase order at a checkout line to get a “Dicks” bag earlier than assembly up with the opposite teenagers in the course of the shop.
Safety footage allegedly captured the younger thieves stuffing objects into the bag as they made their method by the shop.
Daimon Johnson, 15, Mark Bryan, 15, and Ibn Mahdee Abdul Haqq, 14, grabbed the bag and walked out of the shop, bypassing all registers and into the car parking zone the place they have been stopped by awaiting deputies.
Hudgens, Elijah Myers,14, Tymir Speller, 15, Tymir Smith, 14, and Jacob Scott, 15, have been positioned inside the shop and detained.
Abdul-Haqq allegedly stole merchandise inside a black backpack whereas Bryan was holding the shop’s bag.
Speller was discovered with a stolen beanie down his pants.
The teenagers are accused of stealing 47 objects totaling $2,296.07.
Among the many stolen merchandise have been a $135 Nike hoodie, a $125 Nike girls’s working jacket, two $110 Below Armour hoodies and two $70 soccer gloves.
“These juveniles weren’t from Polk County, they got here right here from Philly for a soccer match, and as an alternative of representing their staff with satisfaction, they selected to steal – they’re Thoroughbred thieves,” Judd mentioned. “Let this be clear: it doesn’t matter in the event you’re from right here or visiting, in the event you break the legislation in Polk County, you’ll be arrested and held accountable.”
Throughout the arrest, the staff’s coach, Raekwon Bynes, was referred to as to the shop and commenced pleading with cops and retailer staff to launch the gamers, Judd mentioned.
“The coach who’s answerable for them, you’d assume he can be concerned about holding them accountable and accountable, as an alternative, he goes to the deputies and begs them to not take these younger males into custody,” Judd mentioned.
“Oh don’t arrest them, drop the costs, allow them to go,” the coach allegedly mentioned, in response to the sheriff.
“They weren’t taking bubblegum, one piece to chew. They stole over $2,000 price of merchandise. And when it was evident that they have been going to be arrested, the coach says, ‘Don’t you guys have something higher to do then arrest these children,’” Judd mentioned.
“I don’t understand how you do issues in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, however in Polk County, Florida, we lock you up for stealing, for being a thief,” he added.
The teenagers have been arrested and charged with third-degree felony Retail Theft over $750 and third-degree felony Conspiracy to Commit Retail Theft.
They have been transported to the Juvenile Evaluation Middle and missed enjoying within the championship recreation.
Florida-based Cocoa Tigers U-14 routed the Thoroughbreds within the Prolifix Sportz AAU Nationwide Championship, successful 26-6.
“I don’t know in the event that they have been starters or not, however we’re finishers, we arrested them,” Judd mentioned.
“You selected to be arrested and that’s the best way it’s,” he added. “And for the coach, you’re method off base right here, buddy. Manner off base. You’re the last word loser.”
