This photo is of Miramar Beach in south Florida. Police in nearby Miramar are investigating two NFL players for their alleged roles in a violent armed robbery at a house party. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
UPDATED from original story Friday
Two pro football players are being investigated by Florida police for their alleged roles in a violent gun-related crime.
The players, DeAndre Baker of the New York Giants and Quinton Dunbar of the Seattle Seahawks, both are facing charges related to the incident last week. As we reported here originally on Friday, police in Miramar, near Miami, had arrest warrants out for both players, and both surrendered to authorities over the weekend. The two are both facing charges of armed robbery with a firearm while Baker also is facing four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. According to NBC 6 TV in Miami, the two players are alleged, according to witness accounts to police, of stealing thousands of dollars of cash and valuables from party-goers at a house party in the south Florida community, with Baker allegedly pulling out a handgun as well to aid in it. Two other men also allegedly were involved in the heist, and the station reported, citing authorities, the four all fled the scene in three separate vehicles parked in such a way to suggest the crime was premeditated.
However, the attorney for Dunbar, Michael Grieco, has indicated to other media in south Florida, reported the Associated Press, that he has five signed affidavits from witnesses suggesting Dunbar was not guilty of the alleged crimes. So this is a case that may take a while to sort out.
In any event, if the allegations prove true and they are convicted of these charges, not only could face long jail terms, but also severe discipline under NFL rules. None of the other partygoers were injured in that incident.
The armed robbery case involving those two players is not the only one now taking place involving pro football athletes and criminal charges involving firearms.
Late Saturday night, a player from the Buffalo Bills was arrested in Texas after being found by police with a firearm.
According to KTRK-TV in Houston, lineman Ed Oliver was arrested by Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies after a traffic stop on a road near the town of Patton Village, outside of Houston. Someone had called 911 to report a pickup, allegedly driven by Oliver and pulling a trailer, was weaving in and out of traffic and after officers made the stop, according to police, discovered he was impaired. A field sobriety test took place and he was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. He also faces a charge, reported the TV station, on the firearm possession; it is not clear if he was licensed to carry the gun in Texas. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Oliver was a rookie last season with the Bills and too could face serious discipline from the league if the charges prove true and he is convicted.