At the NFL Draft, numerous college talents hope to snag one of the coveted first-round jerseys. Two students had a similar dream that year and unceremoniously stole some of the jerseys. However, they did not get very far with their prey.
The Los Angeles Times reported that college students Eric Lambkins and Jude Ocanas stole jerseys worth $1,000 the morning after the first day of the draft. According to police, the jerseys were exclusively for the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys.
“These jerseys are used to give players selected in the first round of the NFL draft and have a very sentimental meaning,” said officer Craig Leach in his report.
The two University of Southern California (USC) students were actually in Kansas City to cover the NFL Draft for their college news portal. However, security cameras showed the duo entering a “talent waiting room” and exiting five minutes later with a full bag.
At the Kansas City airport, police finally caught the culprits who were about to board a plane.
NFL Draft: Thieves on the loose again
USC news portal Annenberg Media has reported that both Lambkins and Ocanas have been released on $2,500 bail. The two students have also returned to the campus.
Lawyer David Bell is hoping for a light sentence for his two clients. “We are confident that the unique circumstances combined with the exceptional reputation of Mr. Lambkins and Mr. Ocanas will result in a fair and equitable resolution for all parties involved,” he told Annenberg Media.
The USC also promised the Los Angeles Times that it would cooperate with the authorities and review its own sanctions.