Raheem Sterling confronts intruders during home break-in
Chelsea footballer Raheem Sterling armed himself with a kitchen knife to defend his family when masked intruders broke into his Berkshire home on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The 30-year-old forward confronted the burglars after ensuring his partner, Paige Milian, and their two young sons were safe. Acting on instinct, Sterling grabbed the weapon from a kitchen block before heading upstairs to face the gang.
According to sources, “He grabbed a knife out of a block in the kitchen and went to confront the intruders. It was acting on pure adrenaline but it worked.” The masked group fled the property after realising Sterling was present, leaving without taking any valuables.
The break-in occurred between 6:30pm and 7pm, approximately an hour before Chelsea’s 8pm kick-off against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Police believe the criminals assumed Sterling would be at Stamford Bridge for the match.
Sterling’s partner, Paige Milian, and their sons, Thiago, eight, and Thai Cruz, six, were all present during the event. A source revealed, “There was a group of them upstairs in masks and they were obviously looking around for any valuables. But this time they made off when they realised that Raheem was at home and he confronted them.” The gang fled empty-handed following Sterling’s intervention.
This marks the third occasion in seven years that Sterling has faced a break-in. Previously, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he departed from England’s squad after burglars raided his Cobham home whilst his family was inside, stealing jewellery and watches valued at approximately £300,000. Emiliano Krosi, 24, was convicted on 33 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary in relation to that incident.
Further investigations determined that items worth roughly £1,139,000 were stolen between October 2022 and March 2023, with Surrey Police revealing Krosi maintained a detailed checklist for selecting target properties. Sterling’s former residence in Goostrey, Cheshire, was also targeted by thieves in 2018, although they fled after triggering the alarm system.
A spokesperson for Sterling confirmed the incident, stating, “We can confirm that Raheem Sterling was the victim of a home break-in this weekend. We can also confirm that he and his children were present at home at the time.” The spokesperson highlighted the violation of privacy and safety but expressed gratitude that Sterling and his family remained safe, requesting respect for their privacy during this challenging time.
Thames Valley Police are conducting a comprehensive investigation into the break-in and have appealed for witnesses who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area to come forward. Chelsea FC has been informed of the incident and is providing support to their player.
As the dust settles on a harrowing evening for Sterling and his family, it reiterates the unsettling reality that, for all his triumphs on the pitch, the threats facing sports stars often loom large off it. In a world where such violations are disturbingly common, the resilience to confront them head-on is a reminder of the complexities that define both life and sport.
