A youth basketball trip to Florida ended with a coach and five teenage players facing criminal charges after authorities say the group stole snacks and drinks from a 7-Eleven, per WTOP News.
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According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the players were in Davenport for the Puma NXTPro basketball tournament as members of the Run It Up travel basketball program.
Investigators said the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday at a nearby 7-Eleven, where the teens allegedly concealed merchandise, including chips, candy, a sausage, lemonade and Slurpees, before leaving the store without paying. Authorities said the total value of the items was $37.60.
Deputies later located several of the teens near the vacation rental where the team was staying and recovered the stolen merchandise, according to the sheriff's office.
Authorities said coach Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, initially told investigators he did not know the identities of two of the players seen on surveillance video. The sheriff's office alleges Harvey later admitted he lied in an attempt to protect them.
The five teenagers were each charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft, tampering with evidence, petit theft and violating the county's juvenile curfew ordinance.
Harvey was charged with child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accessory after the fact and resisting without violence.
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services confirmed Harvey is employed by the agency but said it would not comment further while conducting its own review.
"We welcome anyone who wants to visit or stay in Polk County on vacation," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "But people need to realize that while you might be able to get away with crimes and foolishness where you live, it won't fly around here."
