Liverpool and Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino's home in Merseyside has been burgled, it has emerged today. The Liverpool star had a collection of watches, jewellery and clothing amounting to an estimated £70,000 ($85,000) stolen from his Victorian home on the 22nd December.
Firmino and his family were fortunately not in the house when thieves entered the property on Mossley Hill, an exclusive part of Merseyside, at around 22:00.
The gang of thieves were said to have "stalked" Firimno's house until he left the premises. According to Deputy Inspector Steve Christan, the thieves made an "untidy search before escaping into the night on foot".
Targeted theft
Deputy Inspector Christian stated that this was a clear instance of targeted theft that had evidently left the twenty five year old "incredibly distressed". Christian continued, stating: "While the occupiers were not in at the time, it has been very upsetting for all involved. I urge the perpetrators to return the stolen goods to the victim in anyway possible". Following the break in, Firmino, his wife and their two children spent Christmas in a hotel.
Witnesses described the thieves as "wearing hoods, with one of the perpetrators wearing a navy blue puffa jacket". According to a report by The Sun, the gang had previously attempted to break in but were disturbed when the family returned home.
A history of break ins at footballers' homes
The theft is the latest in a number of high profile burglaries of Premier League footballers' homes in the area over the past two years. Last year, the homes of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, Everton forward Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Tom Cleverly had been targeted by criminals. However, Merseyside Police stated that there was "no evidence to link the Mossley Hill break in with those that came before it.
Two days after the burglary, Roberto Firmino, who signed for Liverpool in 2015 for an initial fee of £21.3 million, was charged by Merseyside Police with drink driving. Firmino, an integral part of Liverpool's potentially title challenging team, is due to appear in court on the 31st January, the same day Liverpool face Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield.
Anyone with information on the robbery at Roberto Firmino's home should contact the Merseyside police on 0151 777 4065 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.