Kansas City man charged with stealing Dolphins equipment after playoff game

A Kansas City man has been charged with stealing more than $40,000 worth of equipment from the Dolphins after the team’s playoff game against the Chiefs in January.

According to court documents, prosecutors on Wednesday charged Joseph Brown Jr. with a Class C felony of stealing.

On Jan. 13, the Dolphins were defeated by the Chiefs in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Kansas City police responded to a report of a theft on Jan. 14. and met with a member of the Dolphins, who said a box truck with team gear and equipment was broken into and stolen, according to court documents.

When Miami plays a night road game, drivers who transport the equipment typically sleep in the visiting city overnight and begin driving back to South Florida early the next day.

Among the items that were stolen, according to court documents, include miscellaneous media equipment, five Pelican cases with media equipment, four large aqua blue-colored equipment cases, three large equipment cases, football pads, pants, gloves, shoes, cold weather gear, hockey bags with large “cape” coats inside and game film. The total value of the stolen items is $46,376, according to court documents.

Detectives found surveillance video of the theft, according to court documents, and were able to determine the suspect vehicle, believed to be a Ford F-150, which contained equipment boxes that matched the description from the alleged theft.

When officers found and approached the vehicle, the suspect sped away, according to the documents.

Detectives conducted surveillance at a home believed to be involved with the alleged theft and, after a search warrant was granted, found multiple Dolphins items, according to court documents. Many of the items were returned to the Dolphins, a source told the Miami Herald.

Brown was arrested on Jan. 24, and his bond has been set at $50,000. In 2021, he was convicted of theft, according to court documents.

The range of punishment for a Class C felony of stealing is three to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.