GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 06: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) runs to a team meeting during the Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug 6, 2018 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire) NFL American Football Herren USA AUG 06 Cardinals Training Camp PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon180806027
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 06: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) runs to a team meeting during the Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug 6, 2018 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire) NFL American Football Herren USA AUG 06 Cardinals Training Camp PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon180806027
Mar 17, 2026, 3:43 PM CUT
Former 1st Round Pick Arrested After Officers Caught Him Allegedly Stealing Groceries
Former defensive tackle and a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, Robert Nkemdiche, has been arrested in Georgia after officers caught him stealing groceries from a Kroger.
Nkemdiche, 31, had a run-in with the Union City Police Department on the night of February 25 in Union City, Georgia. The cops caught him leaving the store with large items hidden in his sweatpants.
These items turned out to be almond milk cartons, candy bars, and frozen meals.
The interaction between Nkemdiche and the cops was released via body cam footage. The cops are seen telling Nkemdiche, “We’re not going to play these games. Because I’ve run into you too many times. And you keep lying.”
The cops initially gave Nkemdiche the benefit of the doubt, assuming the bulge in his clothes could be due to a medical condition. However, they saw Nkemdiche sprinting off behind a gas station, which soon led them to detain Nkemdiche.
It seems that Nkemdiche has been questioned by the police multiple times before, as one cop is seen telling him, “This is a repeated offense for you.”
After initially denying the event, Nkemdiche apologized and promised not to steal again, saying he was “just in a rush”.
Despite the local Kroger representative not wanting to press charges against the former defensive tackle, Nkemdiche’s incident report showed he had “multiple warrants across multiple states.” His track record led to his arrest on February 26th. He was released six hours after being detained.
How good a player was Robert Nkemdiche in the NFL?
Nkemdiche was initially drafted as the No.29 pick for the Arizona Cardinals in 2016. Coming out of high school at Grayson High School, Nkemdiche was considered “Southeast’s best high school football prospect since the early 1980s.” He then attended Ole Miss from 2013 to 2015, from where he was drafted into the NFL.
He played for the Cardinals from 2016 to 2018 and then with the Miami Dolphins in 2019. He also had a stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021.
He has played in a total of 36 games, recording 59 tackles, with 33 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks. His last stint with the NFL was a brief signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, but he was released in training camp.
The latest incident shows a difficult time in the life of the former defensive tackle after his NFL career did not pan out the way he intended.
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Written by
Shyam Hari
Edited by
Kalp Thaker