http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/802632.html
Jewelry worth $400,000 taken from home of Bills' Whitner
By Gene Warner and Jay Skurski
News Staff Reporters
Updated: September 21, 2009, 3:43 PM /
Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner had approximately $400,000 worth of jewelry taken by burglars from his Hamburg home, apparently during Sunday's game in which Whitner made a big play to help the Bills win their first game.
"It was $400,000 worth of jewelry," said Patrice Horton, Whitner's business spokeswoman. "I can't tell you what pieces they were."
Town of Hamburg police today said they are conducting an "active investigation" into a theft that occurred at the home of a member of the Buffalo Bills, but they declined to identify the player or confirm that it was Whitner.
Detective Lt. Kevin Trask, chief of the detective bureau, said police received a call Sunday night regarding items missing from the player's home. Trask explained that it is the police department's policy not to release information involving an ongoing investigation.
Whitner made the discovery following the game.
"He was upset. He was hurt," Horton said. "He doesn't know who was responsible. There's some feeling of being violated. You don't know who was in your home. But he's OK."
While calling the incident "very disappointing," Whitner said it was too early to say exactly what was taken.
"It's very early in the stages, but no one was harmed," Whitner told reporters after practice. "There was some things taken, but that's all I can say."
During the first quarter of Sunday's 33-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Whitner scored on a 76-yard interception return to put the Bills ahead 14-0.
It was the free safety's first National Football League touchdown. Hours later, he learned about the burglary.
"Donte's going to keep doing his thing on the field, and we're going to allow police to do their job," Horton said. "We'll keep rolling along with life."
The burglary discovered Sunday marks the second time in less than a week that a Bills player living in Hamburg has been a crime victim.
After the opening game of the season, two 16-year-old youths admitted spray-painting the front lawn of Bills cornerback and kickoff returner Leodis McKelvin after his fumble helped lead to a stunning one-point loss to the New England Patriots last Monday.
"I think it's two isolated incidents," Whitner said. "I wouldn't say it was the fans or anything like that. I'm not pointing any fingers, but the fact of the matter is something happened."
Asked about his message to the fans today, Whitner replied, "I love the fans here. We're going to win some more football games for you guys."
gwarner@buffnews.com and jskurski@buffnews.com
Jewelry worth $400,000 taken from home of Bills' Whitner
By Gene Warner and Jay Skurski
News Staff Reporters
Updated: September 21, 2009, 3:43 PM /
Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner had approximately $400,000 worth of jewelry taken by burglars from his Hamburg home, apparently during Sunday's game in which Whitner made a big play to help the Bills win their first game.
"It was $400,000 worth of jewelry," said Patrice Horton, Whitner's business spokeswoman. "I can't tell you what pieces they were."
Town of Hamburg police today said they are conducting an "active investigation" into a theft that occurred at the home of a member of the Buffalo Bills, but they declined to identify the player or confirm that it was Whitner.
Detective Lt. Kevin Trask, chief of the detective bureau, said police received a call Sunday night regarding items missing from the player's home. Trask explained that it is the police department's policy not to release information involving an ongoing investigation.
Whitner made the discovery following the game.
"He was upset. He was hurt," Horton said. "He doesn't know who was responsible. There's some feeling of being violated. You don't know who was in your home. But he's OK."
While calling the incident "very disappointing," Whitner said it was too early to say exactly what was taken.
"It's very early in the stages, but no one was harmed," Whitner told reporters after practice. "There was some things taken, but that's all I can say."
During the first quarter of Sunday's 33-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Whitner scored on a 76-yard interception return to put the Bills ahead 14-0.
It was the free safety's first National Football League touchdown. Hours later, he learned about the burglary.
"Donte's going to keep doing his thing on the field, and we're going to allow police to do their job," Horton said. "We'll keep rolling along with life."
The burglary discovered Sunday marks the second time in less than a week that a Bills player living in Hamburg has been a crime victim.
After the opening game of the season, two 16-year-old youths admitted spray-painting the front lawn of Bills cornerback and kickoff returner Leodis McKelvin after his fumble helped lead to a stunning one-point loss to the New England Patriots last Monday.
"I think it's two isolated incidents," Whitner said. "I wouldn't say it was the fans or anything like that. I'm not pointing any fingers, but the fact of the matter is something happened."
Asked about his message to the fans today, Whitner replied, "I love the fans here. We're going to win some more football games for you guys."
gwarner@buffnews.com and jskurski@buffnews.com
