Several University of Idaho football players were involved in a shoplifting incident Aug. 16 that resulted in missing merchandise from the VandalStore, according to a university statement released Tuesday.
The missing merchandise totaled $285, according to the statement.
Within minutes of the merchandise being taken, Vandal coaching staff recovered and returned the merchandise to the store, according to the statement.
The store was open to the UI football team but closed to the public at the time of the incident.
Moscow Police Lt. David Lehmitz said officers were called to the scene for a reported theft. He said officers began investigating, but the merchandise was returned before officers cleared the scene. The VandalStore decided not to press charges.
No charges were filed since the students involved were disciplined and the merchandise was immediately recovered, according to the statement.
“The University of Idaho is deeply disappointed in the behavior of these students and in their poor decision making,” according to the statement. “The athletes involved have been disciplined by the coaches and their behavior will be investigated through the Student Code of Conduct process.”
According to the statement, charges would have been filed if the merchandise had not been returned to the store immediately – consistent with store practice.
“Under the same circumstances, the university would have taken the same action with any other student(s),” according to the statement.
The Argonaut will continue to cover this story as more information is made available.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ryantarinelli