Footballer arrested over cheese theft accusation

QPR defender Steven Caulker was arrested after being accused of stealing cheese from a Surrey supermarket.

Steven Caulker (left) battles with Stoke's Peter Crouch. Picture: PA

The 22-year-old, who earns over £40,000-a-week at the Loftus Road club, was handcuffed by police outside a branch of Tesco in Weybridge, but was released after ‘confusion’ at the shop.

Witnesses told The Sun that the former Cardiff centre-back had left the store but was returning inside with a £1.85 tub of Philadelphia cheese when police arrived and arrested him.

Caulker reportedly looked ‘pretty alarmed’ at being detained, but was let go as police confirmed no crime had been committed.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “There was some confusion between the staff about payment.”

A Tesco spokesman added: “Police were called after an allegation of shoplifting. The matter was resolved at the store and our colleagues decided not to press charges.”

Caulker has made five appearances for The R’s, scoring his first goal against Stoke at the weekend.

He began his career with Tottenham Hotspur, playing 18 games and scoring two goals between 2009 and 2013, as well as spending loan periods with Yeovil, Bristol City and Swansea.