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Two Truck Drivers Charged After England World Cup Gear Reported Stolen

The rapid recovery of roughly $18,000 in kit reveals vulnerabilities in event logistics.

Overview

  • Team England's shipment from West Palm Beach to its Kansas City base arrived with items missing on Thursday, prompting an immediate police inquiry.
  • Kansas City and Jackson County investigators located and recovered most of the goods within about 24 hours, with court records valuing the haul at roughly $18,145.
  • Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, identified as drivers for the contracted trucking firm, each face one count of receiving stolen property and had bond set at $75,000.
  • Court filings say both men told detectives they believed they had permission to take items after seeing a laborer remove shoes during loading, a claim prosecutors dispute.
  • Officials said the recovered items included signed jerseys, boots, a World Cup ball, goalkeeper gloves and novelty items, and that the incident did not materially affect England's immediate training plans while highlighting risks in event supply chains.