Source: Daily_Mail
Alves burgled as he plays for Middlesbrough, joining Gerrard, Heskey and Fletcher as home raid victi
Afonso Alves was burgled as he played in Middlesbrough's draw against Portsmouth - becoming the 15th Barclays Premier League victim of raiders.[LNB]Victim: Afonso Alves's home was burgled as he played for Middlesbrough[LNB]It is thought the home may have been targeted by a gang specialising in raids of footballers' home after a spate of similar incidents.[LNB]The Brazil striker rued the robbery on his home in Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, saying it showed that lawlessness is not just confined to his homeland.[LNB]The raid is estimated to have been worth £50,000 in damage and lost belongings. The 28-year-old returned home shortly after 6pm on Saturday to find his passport stolen along with jewellery, computers, Brazil and Boro shirts, documents, pairs of shoes, and about £200 cash.[LNB]Liverpool midfielder Lucas, Alves's compatriot, suffered a burglary in November, while other victims include Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Pepe Reina, Dirk Kuyt, Jerzy Dudek, Jermaine Pennant, Portsmouth's Peter Crouch, and Emile Heskey of Aston Villa.[LNB]Last month, the fiancee of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher was threatened with a knife by three hooded raiders as the star prepared for a game with Inter Milan. [LNB]The wife of Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili confronted burglars at their home four months ago while he was playing for Rovers against Sunderland in the Carling Cup.[LNB]Brazilian footballers are commonly targeted for extortion in their homeland and are often forced to hire security teams to protect their homes and families.[LNB]But Alves said: 'Lucas and Gerrard also had their homes burgled last year, plus two players of Manchester United. Unfortunately, violence is present in all corners of the world and is not exclusive to Brazil.'[LNB]Inspector Stuart Reed, from Cleveland Police, said: 'I can confirm that we received a report of a break-in at a property in the Yarm area early on Saturday evening, which we are investigating.'[LNB] Middlesbrough 1 Portsmouth 1: Southgate urges Boro to pull together [LNB]Local-boy Bates hoping to use his own recovery to inspire Boro to safety[LNB]Burglars target Fletcher while United star is in Italy for Champions League [LNB]WAG sends burglars packing after Blackburn's Khizanishvili is targeted[LNB]MIDDLESBROUGH FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB]
