NFL players Deandre Baker, Quinton Dunbar turn themselves in on robbery charges, cops say

Devoun Cetoute
·4 min read

New York Giants player Deandre Baker and Seattle Seahawks player Quinton Dunbar turned themselves in to the Broward County Jail after Miramar police issued a warrant for their arrest for allegedly robbing watches and money during a house party.

Late Saturday morning, Bradford Cohen, Baker’s attorney, said on Instagram that Baker had turned himself into the Broward County Jail. Baker was wanted on four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault.

View this post on Instagram

Reports are correct that Deandre turned himself in this morning. I am a believer in the system and that if everything works the matter will be appropriately resolved. Both my client and I have felt @miramarpd and the Detective working the case, were accommodating and went out of their way to assure Mr Bakers privacy during this hard time. That is not just lip service, it is fact,, and we appreciate it. This is my 23rd year in practice defending those who I feel are wrongly charged or wrongly treated. That doesn't mean that all police officers are bad or all are good. We all have jobs to do and I believe we all do them to the best of our ability. Police reports are just that, reports of what was told to them or said to them. Court is what we use to then examine those reports, investigate those claims and allow the Defendant an opportunity to confront the evidence. Don't rush to judgement.

A post shared by Bradford Cohen (@lawronin) on May 16, 2020 at 7:07am PDT

Dunbar’s attorney, Mike Grieco, said on Twitter, Dunbar voluntarily surrendered “pursuant to a bogus warrant based solely on uncorroborated witness statements that have since been recanted.”

Miramar police also confirmed Baker and Dunbar turning themselves in Saturday afternoon on Twitter.

Baker and Dunbar had warrants issued out for their arrest by Miramar police, who alleged the pair stole $73,500 worth of jewelry and money from people at a house party in Miramar on Wednesday night.

Baker instructed at least two people to take the valuables and witnesses say Dunbar was seen helping him, according to an arrest warrant.

Both South Florida natives’ lawyers say they have contradicting evidence from witnesses that exonerate both players.

“We understand that the officers can only base warrants on what was told to them at the time,” Cohen said on Instagram. “We have had affidavits from several witnesses that also dispute the allegations and exculpate our client.”

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I want to thank @miramarpd for being professional in regard to surrendering and issues with the case. We understand that the officers can only base warrants on what was told to them at the time. We have had affidavits from several witnesses that also dispute the allegations and exculpate our client. Our investigator has had them for some time. We would have rather presented them to the court at the proper time, rather than in the media, but in this day and age, people rush to judgement. Where some seek publicity, we seek justice. I look forward to moving this case forward to proper conclusion, as we believe our client is innocent of any charges.

A post shared by Bradford Cohen (@lawronin) on May 15, 2020 at 6:09pm PDT

Grieco, said Friday that five witnesses attested that Dunbar was not involved in the robbery. The witnesses are the same ones Miramar police spoke to at the house party.

Tania Rues, Miramar police spokeswoman, told the Miami Herald that those five people gave their original statements identifying Dunbar under oath.

“If any of them have changed their stories, we would welcome them to come back to the Miramar police station for a new statement,” Rues said.

Baker and Dunbar don’t have criminal records in Miami-Dade or Broward counties, but Dunbar owes Broward $780.17 in traffic fees, according to online court records.

Baker, a Northwestern High graduate, was taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 30th player overall. He played in all 16 games last year for the Giants with eight passes broken up and 55 tackles.

Dunbar, a Booker T. Washington High graduate, made the Washington Redskins’ roster in 2015 and was traded to Seattle in March for a fifth-round draft pick.