Five DC Teens, Coach Arrested in Florida Theft

Five Washington, D.C.-area teens and their AAU basketball coach were arrested in Davenport, Florida, after allegedly conspiring to steal snacks and drinks from a 7-Eleven during a Puma NXTPro tournament. The group allegedly grabbed items including Doritos, gummies, a Big Mama sausage, lemonade, and Slurpees, totaling $37.60, and fled after being confronted by store staff. Deputies located three teens near the Solterra Resort where the team staying, with the stolen items concealed in a backpack and hidden in nearby bushes; investigators later identified the remaining two teens and confronted their coach, Malik Abdul Harvey, who initially denied knowing them before admitting he lied to protect the players. Harvey, a 27-year-old from Maryland, faces charges including child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accessory after the fact, and resisting an officer without violence, while the five teens are charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft, tampering with evidence, petit theft, and juvenile curfew violations. Sheriff Grady Judd and Polk County investigators highlighted the group’s affiliation with Run It Up and stressed that crimes in Polk County carry consequences, with the investigation proceeding to determine the full scope of involvement. The incident underscores safety concerns for visiting youth sports groups and the ongoing oversight of juvenile offenses during out-of-town tournaments.