Former England footballer Raheem Sterling confronted a masked burglary gang with a knife after they broke into his Berkshire home while his family were present. The 30-year-old Chelsea winger heard the intruders upstairs on Saturday evening, just before he was due to watch Chelsea's Premier League match against Wolves.
Acting on instinct, Sterling ensured his partner Paige Milian and their two children were safe before arming himself with a kitchen knife and confronting the gang. The intruders fled without taking any items. A source said: 'He grabbed a knife out of a block in the kitchen and went to confront the intruders. It was acting on pure adrenaline but it worked.'
The burglary occurred between 6.30pm and 7pm, an hour before Chelsea's 8pm kick-off. Police believe the gang may have assumed Sterling would be at Stamford Bridge for the match. Thames Valley Police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses.
This is the third time Sterling has been targeted in seven years. In 2022, his home in Cobham, Surrey, was burgled while his family were inside during the World Cup in Qatar, with an estimated £300,000 worth of jewellery and watches stolen. In 2018, thieves attempted to break into his Cheshire home but fled when the alarm activated.
A spokesperson for Sterling confirmed the incident, stating: 'We can confirm that Raheem Sterling was the victim of a home break-in this weekend. We can also confirm that he and his children were present at home at the time. Whilst the ultimate violation of privacy and safety, we are thankful to be able to confirm that he and his loved ones are all safe.' Chelsea have offered their support to the player.
