KANSAS CITY — Two men have been charged after equipment belonging to England’s national team was allegedly stolen while being transported to the Three Lions’ World Cup base in Kansas City, authorities said on Sunday.Jackson County prosecutors charged Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, both from San Antonio, Texas, with one felony count each of receiving stolen property.The charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to seven years. Bond was set at $75,000 for each suspect.According to prosecutors, the stolen property was valued at approximately $18,000 and included football boots, goalkeeper gloves, a World Cup match ball, training apparel, electronics, signed England jerseys and other team-related items.Authorities said none of the stolen equipment was considered essential to England’s preparations for the tournament.”Jackson County will not tolerate any criminal activity that targets World Cup visitors, including the international teams that have traveled here to compete,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in a statement.Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas praised law enforcement officials for their swift response, saying the investigation helped recover stolen items and ensure those accused would face prosecution.The theft occurred before England’s arrival in Kansas City, where the team has established its World Cup base camp despite not playing any group-stage matches in the city.England trained in front of hundreds of supporters at Swope Soccer Village shortly after arriving on Saturday and will continue preparations for its Group D opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.Kansas City is serving as a major World Cup hub, with defending champion Argentina and the Netherlands also using the city as their tournament base.KANSAS CITY — Two men have been charged after equipment belonging to England’s national team was allegedly stolen while being transported to the Three Lions’ World Cup base in Kansas City, authorities said on Sunday.Jackson County prosecutors charged Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, both from San Antonio, Texas, with one felony count each of receiving stolen property.The charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to seven years. Bond was set at $75,000 for each suspect.According to prosecutors, the stolen property was valued at approximately $18,000 and included football boots, goalkeeper gloves, a World Cup match ball, training apparel, electronics, signed England jerseys and other team-related items.Authorities said none of the stolen equipment was considered essential to England’s preparations for the tournament.”Jackson County will not tolerate any criminal activity that targets World Cup visitors, including the international teams that have traveled here to compete,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in a statement.Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas praised law enforcement officials for their swift response, saying the investigation helped recover stolen items and ensure those accused would face prosecution.The theft occurred before England’s arrival in Kansas City, where the team has established its World Cup base camp despite not playing any group-stage matches in the city.England trained in front of hundreds of supporters at Swope Soccer Village shortly after arriving on Saturday and will continue preparations for its Group D opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.Kansas City is serving as a major World Cup hub, with defending champion Argentina and the Netherlands also using the city as their tournament base.
Two charged after theft of England World Cup equipment
