Lawyer: Five witnesses exonerate Seattle Seahawks’ Quinton Dunbar of South Florida robbery
UPDATE: Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar have turned themselves into police. Read more here.
The defense lawyer for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar says five witnesses have signed sworn affidavits that exonerate the football player of any involvement in a supposed armed robbery that took place in Miramar.
Dunbar and Deandre Baker, a starting cornerback with the New York Giants, are being sought by Miramar police on accusations they stole jewelry and money from people at a house party on Wednesday night.
According to an arrest warrant, Baker instructed at least two people to take the valuables, which included pricey luxury watches. Police said Dunbar was seen helping him, although witnesses conflicted on whether he was armed.
The two South Florida natives are charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault.
Dunbar’s defense lawyer, Michael Grieco, said on Friday that the five witnesses — the same ones cops interviewed in obtaining the arrest warrants — attested that Dunbar was in no way involved. He said he presented the affidavits to the Broward State Attorney’s Office, but prosecutors are still requiring Dunbar turn himself in to be jailed.
“All of the affidavits indicate my client is innocent,” Greico said.
Greico lashed out at Miramar police for tweeting about the arrest warrant and “tagging” Seattle’s account.
“I have never in my career seen a police department so excited about arresting a celebrity,” the lawyer said.
He could not immediately say when Dunbar would surrender.
Miramar police pushed back on Greico’s claim, pointing out that officers did not hold a press conference, nor grant any interviews about the case.
“We put it on social media only after being bombarded with requests from the media,” said Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues.
Rues also noted that the four victims and one witness identified Dunbar under oath. “If any of them have changed their stories, we would welcome them to come back to the Miramar police station for a new statement,” Rues said.
Seattle’s media relations department tweeted: “We are aware of the situation involving Quinton Dunbar and still gathering information. We will defer all further comment to league investigators and local authorities.”
Neither has a criminal history in Miami-Dade or Broward counties. Dunbar owes Broward $780.17 in traffic fees, according to online court records.
Baker went to Georgia after graduating from Northwestern High and was taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 30th player overall. He played in all 16 games last year for the Giants with eight passes broken up and 55 tackles.
In contrast to Baker, Booker T. Washington High graduate Quinton Dunbar made Washington’s roster in 2015 in the most unlikely way — as an undrafted wide receiver out of the University of Florida converted to cornerback in his first NFL training camp.
Dunbar not only made the roster, but became a starter over five seasons in Washington. He was having a career year with four interceptions in 11 games in 2019 when a hamstring injury ended his season. Seattle traded a fifth-round pick to Washington for Dunbar in March.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 4:33 PM.