Top row, from left: Malik Harvey, Obai Sheriff and Taureon Ferrell.
Bottom row, from left: Tavion Hale, Tyjuan Grover and James Thomas Hall.
(Booking photos provided by Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
DAVENPORT, Fla. — A Charles County man who coaches the Washington, D.C.-area Run It Up travel basketball team was arrested along with five teenage players after Florida authorities accused the teens of conspiring to steal merchandise from a 7-Eleven while attending a tournament.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that five members of the Run It Up program entered the 7-Eleven at 3141 Ronald Reagan Parkway in Davenport at approximately 4:10 a.m. July 23, 2026.
Investigators allege the teenagers concealed Doritos, gummies, Starburst Minis, a Big Mama sausage, lemonade and grape and orange Slurpees. The stolen merchandise was valued at $37.60.
A store clerk confronted the group, prompting them to flee, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located three of the teenagers near the entrance to Solterra Resort, where the team was staying in a vacation rental less than a mile from the store. Investigators allege the stolen merchandise had been placed inside a backpack and hidden in bushes.
Detectives then contacted the team’s coach, Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, of Bryans Road, and asked him to identify the remaining two teenagers from store surveillance footage.
Harvey initially denied knowing them, according to investigators. The other two players were located later that morning and identified Harvey as their coach.
Investigators reported that Harvey later admitted he lied in an effort to protect the players.
“He resisted us when he did not cooperate in the investigation,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated during a video briefing. “When he directly lied. When he misled us.”
Watch Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd discuss the arrests and investigation in the video below:
Another coach assisted investigators and identified the remaining teenagers, including her own son, Judd reported.
“James’ mama did exactly what was right,” Judd stated. “She cooperated. She was as mortified and upset as was appropriate, but not Coach Harvey.”
The five players, who range in age from 16 to 17, were each charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft, tampering with evidence, petit theft and violating the county’s juvenile curfew ordinance. Their names are being withheld because they are juveniles.
Harvey was charged with child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accessory after the fact and resisting without violence.
The Washington, D.C.-area team was in Central Florida to participate in the Puma NXTPro basketball tournament.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Harvey works for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center, where his responsibilities include assisting and empowering young people. Authorities noted that the basketball trip was not connected to his state employment.
“So he works in the criminal justice system and he lied to us,” Judd stated.
Judd also issued a warning to visitors considering committing crimes in Polk County.
“We welcome anyone who wants to visit or stay in Polk County on vacation,” Judd stated. “But people need to realize that while you might be able to get away with crimes and foolishness where you live, it won’t fly around here.”
“If you steal in Polk County, we’re going to send you home with a commemorative mug shot from the Polk County Jail,” Judd added.
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