Terrion Arnold calls Florida police to report robbery
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has had multiple conversations with police in Florida, claiming about $250,000 in belongings were taken from his rental home.
- Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold turned himself in to authorities in Florida on June 24th.
- Arnold faces multiple felonies, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and could be sentenced to life in prison.
- Arnold’s lawyer said he denies any involvement and is confident he will be proven innocent.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold He surrendered to authorities in Florida on June 24 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with a robbery and kidnapping in Tampa, according to the Florida Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County.
The Florida Attorney’s Office announced in a press release that Arnold faces “multiple felonies that carry the potential for up to life in prison.”
Police said Arnold was the main co-conspirator in the suspected robbery and kidnapping. Arnold is currently charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery.
According to police interviews and an incident report obtained by the Detroit Free Press earlier this year, Arnold had previously denied any involvement in what prosecutors say was a retaliatory crime, and some of his associates are currently awaiting trial without bail in Florida.
Here’s what we know about Arnold’s arrest and the charges against him.
What did Therion Arnold do, according to prosecutors?
The 23-year-old cornerback is facing charges related to the revenge crime. He and his allies are accused of taking matters into their own hands.
Documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press say the attack was in retaliation for two robberies at Arnold’s Airbnb in Largo, Florida. Arnold estimated that more than $250,000 in cash and property was stolen from the home he rented between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1.
Arnold told police she didn’t report the theft until 9:05 p.m. ET on February 3, several days after the robbery, because she didn’t initially realize anything had been stolen. He also declined to be charged with theft of stolen property, which included $100,000 in cash set aside to gamble at a local casino.
Terrion Arnold charges driver with theft, documents reveal
Arnold has accused Yan López, the driver he hired for the holiday, of being involved in the theft and vowed to sue. Lopez was one of three men prosecutors said were robbed and beaten by Boakai Hilton, whom Arnold called “my childhood best friend” in a recorded interview with police.
Hilton is charged with three felony counts of robbery, three felony counts of kidnapping, and one felony count each of conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping. Ariana Del Valle, Jasmine Randazzo, Lindell Hudson, Christion Williams, and Freddie Hughes were all sentenced to life in prison on similar charges.
Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo pleaded guilty on June 24, according to the Florida Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County. Randazzo was sentenced to four years in a Florida state prison. Del Valle has given a public plea and sentencing will be determined at a later date. As part of the agreement, both parties are required to testify in future proceedings related to the case.
The victims are said to have been led to their homes.
Lopez, Daniel Tenesaca, and a third unidentified friend were allegedly lured to Del Valle and Randazzo’s shared apartment shortly after midnight on February 4, less than an hour after Arnold and his friend reported the missing item to Largo police.
Lopez, Tenesaca and their friend were allegedly pistol-whipped, held at gunpoint and questioned about Arnold’s involvement in the lost property incident by a man who jumped out of a closet “with an AR-style rifle.”
Del Valle allegedly filmed the assault on FaceTime.
A police report by Shane Quick of Largo states, “It was explained that Freddy (in my case) would also show up later and beat them up. Boakai was in the apartment next door and Therion was believed to be outside in his car. The bar Detective Nett explained that he is still actively investigating this case, but after speaking with me, he received a call from Yani’s mother. Detective Barnett advised that Ariana is currently being held on charges of three counts of kidnapping and three counts of robbery with a firearm. ”
In their motion for pretrial detention, prosecutors further alleged that Hilton “lured Daniel Tenesaka to the residence and instructed all of his co-defendants on what actions to take upon arrival,” and then “participated in the livestream to monitor and direct their actions toward the victim.”
The driver claimed Therion Arnold’s theft was an inside job.
Lopez denied taking any of Arnold’s belongings, saying in the police report that he believed “someone in Terrion’s inner circle took the items,” and that he was “attacked to make it look like he was trying to find the items, but in reality it was one of them that took everything.”
“That’s all that happened,” Lopez said in the 53-minute recorded interview. “And Monday, it’s cool. Tuesday, that Tuesday night into Wednesday, that’s when we were held hostage.”
Arnold is the seventh person arrested in connection with the incident. Co-defendants Boakai Hilton, Lindell Hudson, Freddie Lee Hughes III, and Christion Williams remain held without bail in connection with the case. Mr. Del Valle and Mr. Randazzo entered into a plea agreement.
Arnold, through his lawyer, continues to deny any involvement and issued a statement through his publicist:
“Terion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations against him and maintains his innocence,” Dennis White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “No reliable evidence exists linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations. Instead, the government appears to be relying on testimony from multiple convicted felons who may have acknowledged their involvement and have substantial motivation to shift responsibility in order to reduce their sentences.”
“Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate exoneration.”
Lions respond to Terrion Arnold accusations
The Lions released a statement to USA TODAY Sports on the night of June 24 regarding Arnold’s arrest.
“We are aware of the legal situation regarding Terion Arnold,” a team spokesperson said in a statement. “Out of respect for the ongoing legal process, we will not comment at this time.”
Arnold is currently being held in jail without bond, according to the release.
Arnold made his first appearance in Hillsborough County Court on June 25, according to an Instagram post from the Florida State Attorney.
According to an Instagram post, the Lions cornerback is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Monday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m., which will determine whether Arnold will remain in jail without bail pending trial.
USA TODAY Sports’ Jacob Kamenker and Jack McKessy contributed to this report.
