Two Texas Men Charged with Receiving Stolen England Soccer Gear That Was Later Recovered

Two men from San Antonio, Texas, were charged late Saturday with one felony count each of receiving stolen property after items belonging to England's national soccer team were taken during transit to Kansas City. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced the charges against Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal. Each suspect is being held on $75,000 bond.

The stolen gear had an estimated value of $18,000. The equipment was stolen at some point between over-the-road transport from Florida and arrival at the training facility in Kansas City. Vehicles carrying the gear arrived without it.

Footwear and soccer balls were among the items taken, though the theft did not include anything game-critical. The stolen equipment was recovered. 99.

England goalkeeper Dean Henderson addressed the incident after the team's arrival. "To be honest, I didn't really notice anything about it until you started saying," Henderson said. " England's charter jet arrived in Kansas City at around noon on Saturday.

The team was greeted at its hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas, by the drum corps, cheerleaders, and mascot of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. England held an open training session at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday afternoon. England does not play group games in Kansas City but chose it as a base camp due to its central location.

The team's first training session is scheduled for Sunday. England will play its first World Cup match against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday. The Class D felony of receiving stolen property carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the prosecutor's office resolved an investigation across several states and helped crime victims recover goods stolen in transit.