2 Men Charged With Stealing Jerseys During 2023 NFL Draft

*Photo courtesy of @Vikings on Twitter.*

According to a press release from the Jackson County Prosecutor, two men in Kansas City for last week’s NFL Draft were charged with stealing jerseys intended to be held on stage by first-round picks.

Eric F. Lambkins, 41, of Marietta, Ga., and 19-year-old Jude Ocanas of Los Angeles both face second-degree burglary and first-degree misdemeanor trespassing charges after NFL officials reported the jerseys were stolen from the Nike room early Friday morning.

Security camera footage showed Lambkins and Ocanas entering restricted areas, including the “talent waiting room,” which was adjacent to the Nike room. Both were credentialed for the event, but not cleared to be in the area at that time.

*Photos courtesy of the Jackson County Prosecutor.*

They allegedly stole three jerseys, including a blue Dallas Cowboys jersey, purple Minnesota Vikings jersey and red San Francisco 49ers jersey, each valued at $350. Each jersey had the No. 1 on the back, though none included a draftee’s name.

Each team has multiple jerseys on hand for the first round in case of trades, which how the pair allegedly stole a Vikings jerseys despite the team drafting former USC wide receiver Jordan Addison. Cowboys draftee Mazi Smith did not attend the event, while the 49ers did not have a first-round pick.

Lambkins and Ocanas were arrested and booked in the Jackson Count Jail on Friday as they attempted to leave for their home states with two of the jerseys in their luggage. It’s unclear what happened to the third jersey.