A former Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets player is wanted for a burglary over the summer.
Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have an active warrant for Steve Francis on burglary "to an unoccupied conveyance". Detectives in Texas learned about the charge after the former NBA star was arrested in Texas on a DWI charge.
"You think about someone, who has been at that level, and you read some of the things on the internet about him and it….it's sad. It's sad because it seems like he's had a rough few years," the Manatee County car burglary victim said.
She did not want to be identified. She described what happened the moment after she realized someone stole everything from her car. She was parked at the Cortez Clam Factory when it happened.
"The bartender runs out and says, 'hey get out of that guys' car' and I said, 'what guy' and I held up my keys. I said, 'this is my BMW'," she said.
According to authorities, Francis asked the bartender to help him look for his car keys, using a flashlight.
"He got everything. He got a diamond ring….my father's wedding band….(irreplaceable)…sentimental value," she said.
According to authorities, two days after the incident, Francis walked into the Bradenton Police Department with a plastic bag full of stuff and said, "I just robbed somebody, take me to jail. I'm turning myself in". Authorities did not have a report of any crime in Bradenton so Francis walked free. The case was being handled by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Some items were returned to the victim, but she said the cash and sentimental jewelry are still missing.
