DAVENPORT, FL – Eight teenagers from Pennsylvania who were in Polk County to compete in a youth football championship were arrested Saturday after deputies foiled an organized retail theft at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Posner Park.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 10:55 a.m. after store staff reported multiple juveniles concealing merchandise and acting in coordination. All eight were detained within minutes.
According to the sheriff’s office, surveillance video showed the teens entering in two groups and working together to steal more than $2,000 worth of athletic apparel and football gear.
“These juveniles were not from Polk County, they came here from out of state for a football tournament, and instead of representing their team with pride, they chose to commit a crime,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from here or visiting — if you break the law in Polk County, you will be arrested and held accountable.”
The juveniles were identified as Daimon Johnson, 15; Mark Bryan, 15; Ibn Mahdee Abdul-Haqq, 14; Elijah Myers, 14; Tymir Speller, 15; Marcus Hudgens, 15; Tymir Smith, 14; and Jacob Scott, 15. Under Florida law, felony-charged juveniles are public record.
Deputies say groups coordinated theft inside the store
Investigators said Johnson, Bryan, and Abdul-Haqq first entered the store, followed by Hudgens, Myers, Speller, Smith, and Scott. Hudgens made a purchase at the front counter, then met the others in the store’s center aisle, where they allegedly loaded the Dick’s Sporting Goods bag with merchandise.
Johnson, Bryan, and Abdul-Haqq walked out with the bag, passing all points of sale before deputies stopped them outside. Additional stolen items were found in a backpack carried by Abdul-Haqq, while Bryan held the bag containing more than $2,000 in merchandise. Speller was found with a concealed beanie. The remaining five suspects were detained inside.
The store confirmed the total value of stolen goods at $2,296.07.
Teens were in Florida for national football tournament
Deputies said all eight teens are members of the United Thoroughbreds, a Philadelphia youth football team competing in the Prolifix Nationals tournament. Their coach, Raekwon Bynes, 29, arrived at the store and confirmed the group was staying in Davenport for a championship game scheduled later that day.
Due to the arrests, none of the teens participated in the game.
All eight declined to provide statements and have no recorded prior arrests, according to Philadelphia’s juvenile authorities.
The teens were transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged with felony retail theft over $750 and felony conspiracy to commit retail theft.
Sheriff Grady Judd issues warning to visitors