Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, of Bryans Road
A Bryans Road man who was coaching a Washington, D.C.-area travel basketball team was arrested in Florida after authorities said he lied to investigators to protect two teenage players accused of participating in a theft at a 7-Eleven store.
Malik Abdul Harvey, 27, of Bryans Road, was arrested by detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accessory after the fact and resisting an officer without violence.
Harvey was coaching five teenagers who are members of Run It Up, a travel basketball program affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union. The team was in Florida to participate in the Puma NXTPro basketball tournament and was staying at a vacation rental in the Solterra Resort community near Davenport.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation began at approximately 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after the teenagers allegedly stole merchandise from the 7-Eleven at 3141 Ronald Reagan Parkway.
Authorities said the teenagers concealed several items, including Doritos, gummies, Starburst Minis, a Big Mama sausage, lemonade and grape and orange Slurpees. The merchandise was valued at $37.60.
A store clerk confronted the group, and the teenagers allegedly fled from the business.
Deputies later located three of the teenagers near the entrance to Solterra Resort. Investigators said the stolen merchandise had been placed inside a backpack and hidden in bushes.
A detective then contacted Harvey and asked him to review surveillance video and identify the remaining two teenagers. According to the sheriff’s office, Harvey initially claimed he did not recognize them.
The remaining two teenagers were located later that morning and reportedly admitted that Harvey was their coach. Investigators said Harvey subsequently acknowledged that he had lied about not recognizing them in an effort to protect the teenagers.
The five teenagers were identified by authorities as 17-year-old Tavion Rashaud Hale of Washington, D.C.; 16-year-old Taureon Darnell Ferrell of Washington, D.C.; 16-year-old Obai Sankoh Sheriff of Lanham; 16-year-old James Thomas Hall of Washington, D.C.; and 17-year-old Tyjuan Grover of Washington, D.C.
Each teenager was charged with felony conspiracy to commit retail theft, felony tampering with evidence, misdemeanor petit theft and violating the county’s juvenile curfew ordinance.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd criticized the alleged actions of the group following the arrests.
“We welcome anyone who wants to visit or stay in Polk County on vacation. But people need to realize that while you might be able to get away with crimes and foolishness where you live, it won’t fly around here,” Judd said. “If you steal in Polk County, we’re going to send you home with a commemorative mug shot from the Polk County Jail.”
Harvey is employed by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center, where his duties reportedly include assisting and empowering young people. Authorities said the basketball trip was not connected to his employment.
