No charges have been filed against seven 18- and 19-year-olds who unlawfully entered the Coral Gables residence of Miami Heat star Ray Allen on Thursday, Aug. 14.
Allen’s wife and children were asleep at 2:30 a.m. when the break-in occurred, the Miami Herald reports.
The Coral Gables Police Department categorized the break-in as “a prank.” They declined to file charges because “no serious crime” was committed by the upper middle class youths. But Allen’s attorney, Gregory Victor, disagrees.
“A serious crime was committed under Florida law,” he said. “A large number of young adults knowingly broke into Mr. and Mrs. Allen’s locked home on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 2:30 a.m. and absolutely terrified their family. The crime was not only egregious, but the police characterization of this as a silly prank is completely inappropriate. Every family deserves privacy and to feel safe in their own home.”
The teenagers from prominent families were reportedly attending a party next door to Allen’s home when they decided to see the inside of the Miami Heat star’s home without an invitation.
The privileged youths entered the locked home, proceeded up the stairs and into the bedroom where Allen’s wife, Shannon, lay sleeping.
Ray Allen, through his attorney, described what happened next:
“She heard male voices loudly discussing our personal property and sat up in a state of alarm to find at least five people inside our bedroom with large flashlights. She was immediately fearful for the safety of her own life, but more importantly the lives of our young children. When she screamed at them, the intruders quickly fled the scene and laughter was heard as they made their way out of our bedroom, down the stairs and out of our house.
“As these individuals were fleeing our house, Shannon immediately called security and the police for help. Shannon and I believe that a number of the public statements made through media outlets have mischaracterized certain important facts and what we believe to be the seriousness of this potentially devastating invasion upon our lives, home and family.”
Allen added:
“The suggestion that anyone can unlawfully enter into someone’s locked home and then into an occupied bedroom in the middle of the night without consequences is unsettling, regardless of the stated or actual reason for such unlawful entry. We are very fortunate that no one involved was physically harmed during this ordeal. Miami is our home and we are proud to be active members in this community. We pray that no one else has to endure this kind of intrusion on their home or their families’ safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes.”
The 39-year-old NBA free agent was vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard with golfing buddy President Barack Obama at the time of the home invasion.
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