Eight teenagers from a Philadelphia youth football team found themselves facing felony charges after an alleged retail theft spree in Polk County, Florida. The youths, all participants in a football tournament, were apprehended on Saturday at a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Posner Park, Davenport, with over $2,000 worth of merchandise, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reported.
The eight suspects, identified by the authorities, included Daimon Johnson, Mark Bryan, Ibn Mahdee Abdul Haqq, Elijah Myers, Tymir Speller, Marcus Hudgens, Tymir Smith, and Jacob Scott. Surveillance footage showed the suspects entering the store and stuffing merchandise into a bag without making an attempt to pay. The group’s coach, Raekwon Bynes, confirmed their identities as members of the United Thoroughbreds team, who were in Florida for the Prolifix Nationals tournament.
None of the teenage suspects had prior arrest records and all declined to provide statements following their apprehension. They were subsequently charged with Retail Theft over $750 (F3) and Conspiracy to Commit Retail Theft (F3), leading to their disqualification from the championship game they had traveled to participate in. "These juveniles were not from Polk County, they came here from Philly for a football tournament, and instead of representing their team with pride, they chose to steal," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement obtained by the Sheriff's Office.
Details of the stolen items included essentials for cold weather, sports performance gear, and various football accessories with prices ranging from a $10 wristband to windrunner hoodies and football gloves priced well above $50. The exact valuation of the stolen goods was confirmed at $2,296.07.
