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Cops to release names of accused football players

Five days after a theft involving several UA football players was reported, university police today will release the names of the athletes involved, UAPD Sgt. Michael Smith said last night.

The officer investigating the case, Detective Joseph Rocco, said Friday he had compiled a list of students but would not release their names, because he felt it would hinder the investigation.

But yesterday, Smith said University of Arizona police will release the names, because the reported crime is not serious enough to warrant withholding the students' identities.

Public records requests filed Friday by the Arizona Daily Wildcat which requested all documents pertaining to the alleged theft - including names of the players -Øwere referred to David Nix, a UA attorney. Nix responded in a statement yesterday by saying his office must "determine what documents exist and are subject to inspection."

No documents had been released as of late last night.

Rocco said he will begin interviewing the athletes involved today to determine if any charges will be filed.

UAPD began the investigation Thursday when a temporary CatCard employee reported to his supervisor that several UA football players took about 20 $1 bills from his hand during a demonstration.

CatCard Director Liz Taylor then reported the theft to UAPD.

Kathleen LaRose, UA associate athletic director, said she held a meeting yesterday with the athletes involved.

"We want to do the right thing," she said.

LaRose said the department would withhold the athletes' identities, citing regulations resulting from the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

LaRose did not say what actions the department would take if the athletes were found to be guilty of the theft.

"There's no list of allegations, misdeeds and corresponding consequences," LaRose said.

Athletic department officials are working with UAPD and the Dean of Students Office on the investigation, she added.

"Any consequences set by those units are totally up to those units," LaRose said. "We deal with them on the field and how we expect our student-athletes to act."

The maximum sentence for a class-one misdemeanor theft is six months in County Jail and a fine of $2500.