PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Eight members of a Philadelphia youth football team, the United Thoroughbreds, were arrested in Central Florida over the weekend for allegedly stealing more than $2,200 worth of merchandise from a Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The reported theft happened on Dec. 6. The boys were in Davenport, Florida, for a national football tournament.
Polk County authorities said the juveniles, between the ages of 14 and 15, entered the store around 11 a.m. According to police, one of the boys made a purchase at the front of the store, then met up with the rest of his teammates in the middle of the store. Using his Dick’s Sporting Goods bag that held his purchase, the boys began putting other items in the bag.
They tried to conceal dozens of stolen items and leave the store, officials said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the store’s surveillance cameras caught the kids stealing.
“Dick’s Sporting Goods knows that they’re stealing because they’re watching the systematic, organized theft ring called a football team,” he said at a press conference.
All eight teens were apprehended, and their parents were notified. They each face two felony charges: retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft.
Police said none of the suspects has a criminal history.