Hawthorn AFL Stars Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald Arrested in US Trespassing Incident
Newly released bodycam footage has captured the dramatic moment when Hawthorn Football Club stars Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald were arrested in the United States for trespassing. The incident occurred in November last year during an off-season training camp in Phoenix, Arizona, where the players found themselves in legal trouble after scaling a scissor lift in a car park.
Footage Reveals Pleas to Police and Arrest Details
In the video, local police officers on bicycles approach the scissor lift, which the AFL players had climbed into a cage approximately two metres above the ground. As the players stepped down, they were promptly arrested. During the encounter, Moore and Macdonald can be heard pleading with the officers to "let them go in an Uber" and avoid formal charges, highlighting their unfamiliarity with local laws.
A friend of the footballers is heard saying, "Officer, we are from Australia, we literally don't know the rules around here." An officer responded bluntly, "Well, you probably should have learned that before you came here." Another friend attempted to downplay the situation, calling it an "excavator" and questioning if jail was necessary, to which police firmly stated the players would be detained for the night.
Legal Consequences and Diversion Agreements
Moore and Macdonald were arrested and charged with criminal trespass. A police report from the Scottsdale PD revealed that at the time of his arrest, Moore was in possession of a small bag containing a crystalline substance and a rolled $100 bill. Moore claimed the items were not his, and prosecutors later decided not to proceed with a charge of possession of drug utensils related to these findings.
Both players accepted diversion offers and pleaded guilty to the trespassing charge. As part of the agreement, they are required to complete a substance abuse counselling program, pay a court fee of just under $300, and abide by the law for six months. Additionally, Hawthorn fined the pair and mandated alcohol counselling, with community service also imposed. The AFL has indicated no further sanctions will be applied.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Team Impact
Dylan Moore, who was overlooked for a role in Hawthorn's leadership group this season under co-captains James Sicily and Jai Newcombe, is scheduled to appear in an Arizona court in July. Connor Macdonald is listed for a court appearance in August. The incident has drawn attention to the off-field conduct of professional athletes during international trips, underscoring the importance of adhering to local regulations.
The bodycam footage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such stunts, with police emphasising the potential for injury. The players' attempts to negotiate their way out of charges were unsuccessful, leading to a legal process that will continue through the summer months.
