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Football Coach Turns Detective When He Allegedly Sees Teens On Street Wearing Stolen Gear

COVINA (CBSLA.com)  —  A high school football coach might consider a career in law enforcement if he ever tires of his day job.

Police said that a variety of football gear -- about $650 in all -- was stolen from a locker room at Northview High School over the weekend.

The gear is now back in its rightful locker room after the coach saw two teens (juveniles aged 15 and 16) wearing some of the stolen goods.

Police said Marcel Perez, the coach, was driving near Vincent Avenue and San Bernardino Road when he saw two teens he didn't recognize wearing his distinct team jerseys.

The thieves took jerseys, shorts, and other gear, most of it brand new from a rooftop window sometime between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.

Police said Perez detained the two juveniles who were then arrested by Covina Police.

KCAL9's Erica Nochlin spoke to some team members who said they worked hard to earn the new gear.

"It means a lot [to get the gear back] because we pay a lot of money for those, we go out on fundraisers and everything to help support the program and pay for those jerseys," said player Bryan Robles.

The team was struck at their luck – their coach just driving by when he spotted the jerseys.

"They were walking down San Bernadino Road and our coach happened to [drive] by there," said Alex Calderon.

"He did the smart thing," said Robles, "he pulled them over and did the right thing and called police."

"It's important, we represent our school when we wear [the gear]," said Calderon.

The players told Nochlin they hope the would-be thieves have learned a lesson.

"Keep yourself out of trouble," said Robles.

Police told Nochlin more of the stolen property was allegedly found at one of the teen's homes.

The two unidentified juveniles were released to the custody of their parents until a future court date.

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