Roma defender Chris Smalling says his family are ‘shaken up’ but ‘unharmed’ after being held at gunpoint in a shocking armed robbery at their home in Italy – with intruders making away with jewellery and luxury watches
Roma defender Chris Smalling has revealed his family are ‘shaken up’ but ‘unharmed’ after being held at gunpoint in a shocking armed robbery at their home on Friday.
Smalling, 31, was forced to hand over valuable items of jewellery and luxury watches to the three aggressors after they broke into their bedroom while they slept.
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His wife, Sam Cooke, called the police around 5am and officers arrived at the villa, which is located 25 miles south of Rome, shortly afterwards.
Chris Smalling says his family are ‘shaken’ but ‘unharmed’ after a shocking armed robbery at their home in Italy (pictured: wife Sam Cooke, 35, Smalling, and son Leo, two)
Roma defender Smalling was forced to hand over valuable items to three intruders on Friday
This morning, Smalling provided a positive update after the frightening ordeal.
‘I’d like to thank everyone for your well wishes and support,’ he tweeted.
‘My family although very shaken up are luckily unharmed!
‘Hoping these people can find a more meaningful way to live their lives without causing such harm and distress to others.’
Smalling, 31, opened up a safe for the robbers and his wife, Sam, then called the police at 5am
This morning, Smalling provided a positive update after the frightening ordeal
It has been reported by The Sun that Smalling’s mother, sister and two-year son, Leo, were also at the house.
The same publication also claims that the robbers are believed to have made away with £100,000 worth of items in total.
Police are in the process of investigating the incident and Roma have offered their support to a shaken Smalling.
Local media said that the family were ‘very distressed’ after the break-in.
The young family (pictured) moved to Italy on a permanent basis after Smalling joined Roma
Smalling moved to Italy after leaving Manchester United permanently last October and was not involved in Roma’s game against Ajax on Thursday due to injury.
The centre back played 323 times for United, and also earned 31 England caps.
Former Fulham man Smalling has been married to wife Sam, 35, since June 2017 – and the couple welcomed their young son just before they moved to Rome.
A number of Serie A footballers, coaches and other sporting personalities have seen their houses targeted over the past year.
Former Manchester United man Smalling has been married to model Sam since June 2017
Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie was subjected to a burglary whilst playing in an Italian Cup fixture against SPAL on January 27.
Football boots and items of designer clothing were taken, according to Sky Sports Italia, with the intrusion planned for when McKennie would not be there.
Paulo Fonseca, the Roma boss and Smalling’s coach, was also burgled last October whilst not at home. Valuable belongings worth up to €100,000 (£87,157) were taken.
Franck Ribery, now at Fiorentina, also experienced a robbery whilst in club action. The criminals pocketed jewellery and handbags.