UK Cops Declare Manhunt For Thugs Who Rob Tottenham Star, Dele Alli

LAGOS MAY 15^TH (NEWSRANGERS)-ENGLAND’S Dele Alli was battered by knife-wielding robbers who burst in as the ace played pool with his girlfriend and brother.

Cops were last night hunting for the thugs who escaped with watches and jewellery worth thousands of pounds from the star’s £2million home.

Dele, 24, was in a downstairs room with long-time partner Ruby Mae, his adopted brother Harry, Harry’s girlfriend and another male friend when the masked bandits burst in at 12.30am yesterday morning.

They punched the Spurs midfielder in the mouth and assaulted another man after demanding the frightened group hand over valuables.

One suspect then ran upstairs and ransacked several of the star’s bedrooms.

A source told The Sun last night: “The group have all been left extremely shaken.

“Dele was still awake and playing pool with the others when the raiders got into the property.

“It all kicked off downstairs and Dele was punched in the mouth by one of the two masked robbers.

“One of Dele’s friends tried to have a go back. He was also beaten.

“After stealing two expensive watches from Dele, one of the robbers prowled the upstairs and some items of jewellery were taken.”

Last night the Spurs star took to Twitter to reassure fans following the news.

He wrote: “Thank you for all the messages. Horrible experience but we’re all okay now. Appreciate the support.”

‘TERRIFYING ORDEAL’

Dele and his injured friend did not require hospital treatment.

But sources confirmed they were understandably traumatised by the shocking late-night robbery.

Another source close to Dele said: “It was a terrifying ordeal to go through.

“The two men who broke in had knives.

“They grabbed items and they demanded that Dele handed stuff over.

“Dele was there with his girlfriend, Harry and his girlfriend, and another man who all live there together so there were a few of them there at the time.

“The police were called and spent several hours there collecting statements and CCTV from the property.”

It all kicked off and Dele was hit in the mouth by one of the robbers.

A source

Police believe the £150,000-a-week player could have been deliberately targeted by the robbers. Officers stayed at the house until nearly daybreak yesterday after the armed raid.

Teams were scouring footage from Dele’s outside cameras in the hunt for clues.

The Hertfordshire property is near the M25 and it is feared the pair would have left the area extremely quickly — especially with so little traffic around during lockdown.

Dele has been isolating at the gated home with Ruby and their three friends — including adopted brother Harry. The pair are said to be extremely close and Harry also acts as Dele’s agent.

The Met Police said: “Police were called at approximately 00:35hrs on Wednesday, May 13 to reports of a robbery at a residential address.

“Two males gained entry to the property and stole items of jewellery, including watches, before fleeing.

“Two male occupants at the property suffered minor facial injuries after being assaulted.

“They did not require hospital treatment. There have been no arrests. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.”

The raid comes just two months after four masked robbers armed with knives and machetes broke into the home of Dele’s
Spurs teammate Jan Vertonghen in Hampstead, North London.

The gang terrified his wife and young family while the Belgian defender was playing in a Champions League fixture in Germany with ­Tottenham.

Dele was adopted by Harry’s family, the Hickmans, and the brothers started out together as amateur footballers.

A source said: “They are brothers and you could not get any two siblings who are closer. They have been locked up in isolation with their partners and another friend during lockdown.

“This was the last thing that any of them expected to happen.
“The watches and jewellery were obviously worth many thousands of pounds.

“But they also had a sentimental value and can’t be replaced in that sense.” The source said security at the house would be reinforced.

Break-ins at the homes of mega-rich Premier League stars have become commonplace in recent years.

Many aces have been forced to seal off access and bolster camera networks.

Yet crime has plunged by more than a third in the capital during lockdown.

The house where Dele lives is close to the motorway network and the source said: “Unfortunately the robbers could have come from anywhere. Nobody knows whether Dele was specifically targeted or fell victim to robbers casing houses in the area.

“But it is concerning that this comes after Jan’s family home was robbed and it raises worrying questions.”
Dele’s official spokeswoman would not comment on the incident.

Police appealed for anyone with information to contact them via 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD185/13May.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Sun

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