Suspects In DeMarcus Ware Burglary Appear In Court
DENVER (CBS4) - Two men accused of breaking into Broncos star DeMarcus Ware's home and stealing his Super Bowl ring appeared in court Thursday afternoon.
Sergio Irreza, 31, and Billy McCaslin, 41, face second-degree burglary charges in the case.
McCaslin has a criminal record that includes child abuse and trespassing. Irreza's record includes some traffic offenses.
The crime happened on Monday night while the Broncos were playing the Houston Texans in Denver. Men entered Ware's Cherry Creek apartment and stole a safe and Ware's customized Super Bowl 50 championship ring.
Police say fans helped them catch the suspects by sharing the photos of them that were captured by hidden cameras in Ware's home.
"I knew they were going to find [the suspects,]" said Sierra Doxtater, assistant manager at Mister Money Pawn Shop in Thornton.
Doxtater said police contacted the pawn shop, after realizing McCaslin had shopped at the store.
"I wouldn't say [McCaslin visited] very often. But, he was in here," Doxtater said.
According to Doxtater, police compared images from Ware's home to surveillance video at the pawn shop. A police report said McCaslin was even wearing the same shirt in both surveillance videos.
"I think everybody was surprised [Ware's] house was robbed," said Carl Wallace, a Broncos season ticket holder since 1976. "You wonder if it was because someone knew he wouldn't be there."
Wallace said the suspects must not have realized the power social media can play with fighting crime.
"It was good to see people were supporting him," Wallace said. "I think it is impressive. I think it shows people are good, and they will help somebody to support them. Particularly someone who they follow and respect, like DeMarcus Ware. He is a highly respected player on the Broncos' team."
"You're our eyes, you're our ears, and there's 700,000+ or 800,000+ citizens who live here. Chances are someone saw something. Chances are someone knows who these individuals are and they can point the investigators in the right direction. I believe that's what happened here," said Denver police detective John White.
On Wednesday after Broncos practice in Englewood, Ware thanked those fans that helped spread the word about the case and also thanked Denver police.
"The fans have done a great job. I tell you what -- when you mess with one of the Broncos Country's own, they spread it out everywhere," Ware said.
No items from the burglary were ever brought in for sale at Mister Money.
"He worked too hard to get that ring," Wallace said.
In June, Ware posted photos on Twitter showing him posing with his ring, which is customized with his name on the side. The ring has 194 diamonds, totals 5.05 carats and is estimated to have cost upwards of $36,000.
1st QB in NFL history to lead two teams to World Championships. ???? pic.twitter.com/ybOpr28YCG
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) June 13, 2016
"It's not about a material thing, it's about you going through my stuff and you've been in my house and that's just the main thing so it doesn't feel like home anymore," Ware said.
Ware said he is trying to stay positive about the situation, but he's still angry about what happened.
"I'm just glad he wasn't in there when he was in there -- I would have sacked him," Ware said.
Contributions by CBS4 reporter Dillon Thomas