Two TCU football players were arrested Monday afternoon on felony robbery charges, police said.
Two TCU football players were arrested Monday afternoon on felony robbery charges, according to police.
Senior defensive end Mike Tuaua, 22, of Rohnert Park, California, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Petties-Wilson, 19, of San Diego, were booked into jail on charges they assaulted and robbed three male students at about 11:30 p.m. Sept. 4.
Arrest Warrants: Mike Tuaua | Andre Pettis-Wilson
The students told police they were beaten outside a party on Lowden Street and the attackers stole a case of Keystone Light beer. Medics treated one student at the scene and transported another to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, MedStar spokesman Matt Zavadsky said.
In a campus crime alert issued after the theft, campus police said three people showed up to the party uninvited, were kicked out and then attacked three TCU students and stole a case of beer.
The attackers were described as muscular, at least 6 feet tall and between 18 and 21 years old. One of the three had long bushy hair, police said. Tuaua is known for his unruly hair.
Both Tuaua and Pettis-Wilson have been suspended from the team and are free after posting $15,000 bond Monday.
TCU head football coach Gary Patterson hinted at off-the-field trouble at a news conference last week.
"You’ve got to all be in," he said. "I wish I could be more positive, but I think it's better to be the way it is. If we're not acting right on and off the field, then I've got a problem. Right now I'm not real happy with the buy-in."
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Both Tuaua and Petties-Wilson played Sept. 3 in the team's first game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but haven't played since. Tuaua played all 12 regular-season games last season, and started five of them.
TCU officials released the following statement Monday:
It is disappointing to learn about these students’ alleged behavior, which fails to live up to the expectations of our community. Texas Christian University expects its students to behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law.
The students who are under investigation will also face a charge of violating the University Code of Student Conduct, the results of which are independent and separate from any legal charges they may face.
Arrests of football players are nothing new at TCU in recent years.
- April 2014 — Wide receiver Brandon Carter was arrested for possession of marijuana after officers said they found less than two ounces of it in a Lexus he was driving. The charge was later dismissed, court records show.
- February 2014 — Wide receiver LaDarius Brown was dismissed from the team after he also was arrested for possessing marijuana. Brown was fined $651 and sentenced to six months of probation, court records show.
- February 2012 — Four players were among 18 students arrested in an undercover drug sting and kicked off the team. The case resulted in minor fines or probation.
- October 2012 — Starting quarterback Casey Pachall was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was suspended from the team and entered an inpatient treatment facility. He later returned to the team. He was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $1,240, court records show.
Mike Tuaua Arrest Warrant Affidavit
Andre Pettis-Wilson Arrest Warrant Affidavit
NBC 5's Ben Russell contributed to this report.
Editor's Note: It was originally reported that a different TCU player other than the two above had been arrested in connection with the robbery. We regret the error.
