Browns react to concerning string of thefts

Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett and head coach Kevin Stefanski reacted Tuesday to multiple players seemingly becoming targets for robberies and thefts. 

"I’m just glad to see they’re alright," Garrett said about his teammates after practice, per Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. 

The Fox 8 I-Team explained earlier on Tuesday that Cleveland running back Demetric Felton had his vehicle stolen out of a parking garage this past Sunday. Cornerback Greg Newsome II and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey were then apparently targeted outside a downtown Cleveland nightclub early Monday morning. 

According to Petrak and News 5 Cleveland, Cleveland Police say Newsome and Winfrey were robbed at gunpoint at around 3:30 a.m. local time. The thieves escaped with Newsome's jewelry and his 2022 Dodge Ram TRK.

"Saw Perrion yesterday and saw Greg today and just making sure they’re in the right head space, they feel like they’re surrounded by family and letting them know that anything that they need we’re the perfect resource for them and we have their back with whatever happens," Garrett continued. 

Stefanski said he spoke with Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond about the thefts. 

"This is something that we take very seriously," Stefanski remarked. "Obviously our organization, our players are aware of things that we got to make sure we’re doing to keep ourselves safe. But we just will continue to educate our guys, and then in this particular instance I’m really happy that those guys are OK." 

Outlets such as Cleveland's WKYC mentioned Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had his truck stolen from a dealership this past January. On Monday night, Brandon Little of FanNation's Browns Digest wrote the evidence suggests Cleveland players are "being targeted for their belongings."

Garrett originally joined the Browns via the 2017 draft and said Tuesday the most recent robberies show individuals associated with the team have "more work to do in the community" to prevent such incidents. 

"There’s still more lessons that we need to give each other, because it’s not just one side or another side, things like this happen because of so many different actions that led up to that," Garrett said. "And for them to feel like they have to do that for whatever needs, whether it’s fund or funds or thrill, whatever it is, let ’em know that this is not the action that they need to take to get what they want."