Chelsea star Raheem Sterling experienced a frightening ordeal on Saturday evening when masked intruders attempted to break into his home.
The 30-year-old, along with his long-term partner Paige Milian and their children, were inside the property at the time, but thankfully, no one was hurt.
The attempted burglary happened around 7pm, just an hour before Chelsea kicked off their Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues would go on to secure a 3-0 victory.
Thwarted Attempt and Quick Police Response
According to sources, the burglars were caught off guard by the presence of the family and failed to take any valuables.
Sterling has since filed a police report, and Thames Valley Police confirmed that officers are conducting a thorough investigation.
They have asked anyone with information, or who noticed suspicious activity in the area, to come forward.
A spokesperson for Sterling told Daily Mail Sport:
“We can confirm that Raheem Sterling was the victim of a home break-in this weekend.
He and his children were present at the time.
Whilst the ultimate violation of privacy and safety, we are thankful they are all safe.
We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Chelsea have also expressed their support to Sterling following the incident.
Sterling’s Previous Ordeal in Cobham
This is not the first time Sterling has been targeted at home.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he had to leave England’s training camp after a break-in at his Cobham property while his family was inside.
On that occasion, thieves made off with an estimated £300,000 worth of jewelry and watches.
Three suspects were later linked to that raid and a series of other burglaries: Alfred Isufi, 48, Gerard Kalaja, 22, and Henri Osmani, 44, all Albanian nationals.
Authorities believe the trio are now outside the UK.
A fourth man, Emiliano Krosi, 24, was convicted of 33 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary last year.
Investigators calculated that over £1.1 million in items had been stolen between October 2022 and March 2023.
Targeting Affluent Homes
Police noted that Krosi had a very specific method when choosing properties to target: large, detached houses in affluent areas, located on private roads with substantial gardens.
Sterling’s home fits this profile, which may explain why he has been targeted more than once.
Community Support and Moving Forward
While the attempted break-in is another unsettling chapter for Sterling, the footballer and his family remain safe.
Chelsea, police, and the local community continue to offer their support as authorities investigate the incident.
For now, the focus is on ensuring the family’s security and respecting their privacy during this stressful period.