Falcons' Calvin Ridley Targeted in Gang-Related Celebrity Home Robberies in Atlanta

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was among a group of athletes and celebrities whose house was targeted in a string of robberies in the Atlanta area.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced on Tuesday the crimes were being committed by the Drug Rich Gang that originally emerged in 2016.

The indictment, which was filed Aug. 22, charged 26 different people. The alleged crimes listed in the indictment include carjacking, kidnapping, armed robbery, shootings and home invasions.

Ridley, Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan and R&B singer Mariah Carey were among those who had their homes broken into, according to the indictment.

Willis explained members of the gang would use social media to find and select victims.

"What they do is target people who show their wealth on social media," she said. "So I do have a message for the public: Where it is kind of fun to put your things on social media and show off, unfortunately these gangs are becoming more savvy, more sophisticated in the way that they target you."

Willis became the first woman to hold the title of Fulton County district attorney when she assumed office on Jan. 1, 2021. She has taken an aggressive role in trying to reduce gang-related crimes in the area.

In a February interview with Christie Diez of 11 Alive, Willis said anywhere between 70 to 90 percent of crime in the entire state could be gang-related.

"It’s not just the violence," Willis said. "It’s everything from car break-ins to burglaries to human trafficking to shootings. So, all spectrum of crime is being impacted by gang violence."

Ridley played three season at Alabama and was Atlanta's first-round pick in 2018. The 27-year-old has racked up 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns with 248 receptions in four seasons. The NFL suspended Ridley indefinitely for at least the 2022 season for betting on games last year.