Eight Pennsylvania Teen Football Players Arrested in Florida After Deputies Say Group Coordinated Theft of Over $2,296 in Merchandise From Davenport Dick’s Sporting Goods
FLORIDA — Eight teenage football players from Pennsylvania were arrested in Polk County, Florida, after deputies say they coordinated a theft operation that resulted in more than $2,296 in merchandise stolen from a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Davenport. The group, in town for a youth football tournament, now faces multiple retail theft and conspiracy charges.
Deputies: Teens Worked in Two Groups to Steal Merchandise and Leave With Full Store Bags
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the theft occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday, when store employees noticed several teens concealing items. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the group entering the store in two separate teams, selecting items, hiding them, and leaving with bags filled with unpaid merchandise.
Deputies detained the teens outside the store, where the stolen items were recovered.
The arrested teens were identified as:
- Daimon Johnson
- Elijah Myers
- Ibm-Mahdee Abdul-Haqq
- Jacob Smith
- Marcus Hudgens
- Mark Bryan
- Tymir Smith
- Tymir Speller
Authorities noted that none of the eight had prior criminal records.
Charges Include Retail Theft Over $750 and Conspiracy
All eight teens were charged with:
- Retail theft over $750
- Conspiracy to commit retail theft
Under Florida law, the value of the stolen merchandise elevates the offense beyond simple shoplifting, resulting in more serious penalties.
Because the arrests occurred just hours before the team’s scheduled championship game, the teens’ detention prevented them from participating, forcing the team to withdraw key players from competition.
Sheriff’s Office: Theft in Polk County Leads to Arrest, Not Warnings
Officials emphasized that Polk County takes retail theft seriously, noting that offenders — even juveniles — are typically arrested rather than released with warnings.
Deputies say the structured nature of the theft, combined with the value of the merchandise, made the case especially concerning.
The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors will determine whether additional charges or juvenile-court actions apply.
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