Nebraska TE Arik Gilbert
Video Shows Alleged Liquor Store Burglary
… Caught In The Act
8/29/2023 4: 35 PM PT
SJ’s Liquor and Vape
Nebraska football player Arik Gilbert was arrested early Tuesday morning after cops say he forced his way into a liquor store and burglarized the place for over $1,600 worth of merchandise, before being caught red-handed … and the entire crime appears to have been captured on video.
21-year-old Gilbert, a former 5-star recruit who previously played for LSU and Georgia, was arrested outside SJ’s Liquor & Vape in Lincoln, NE around 2 AM this morning … before being booked into the county jail on a burglary charge.
Gilbert was allegedly carrying various vape materials, lighters, and other stolen merch totaling $1,672, according to law enforcement.
TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of the alleged stolen items … showing an array of vapes and other materials.
Surveillance video captured the crime … and a man said to be the 6’5″, 275 lb. football star was seen throwing a chunk of cement through a door to gain access to the building. Once inside, he kicked a second door down, gaining access to SJ’s shop.
The shirtless man, who covered his face, was then seen rummaging through the shop for several minutes.
While inside, police received a call for a possible break-in, and they rushed to the scene.
To his surprise, at least 8 police officers were waiting outside when he began exiting the shop. Gilbert threw down his bags, and jumped back with his hands up, startled, before being arrested without incident.
We spoke to the people at SJ’s who tell us they’ve reopened the shop and are operating business as usual.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule addressed the arrest, calling it sad and disappointing.