Texas Tech RB Da'Leon Ward has theft case dismissed day after arrest (Updated)
Texas Tech redshirt sophomore running back Da’Leon Ward was arrested on a felony theft charge on Tuesday. The case against him was dismissed Wednesday.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Ward’s arrest was in connection with in three cell phone thefts in 20 minutes on Nov. 14 at the Texas Tech student recreation center. He was arrested Tuesday and booked on a count of theft between $2,500 and $30,000.
Per the report, Ward was indicted in June but the indictment had been sealed. The thefts took place during the 2017 season, a season that Ward spent as a redshirt.
The case was dismissed Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after his arrest.
Da'Leon Ward's case has been dismissed. pic.twitter.com/EhOSlAyjAM
— Tray Payne (@lawyerlubbock) August 22, 2018
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Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said police told him that the charges against Ward shouldn’t have been filed.
Statement on DaLeon Ward arrest and charges being dropped from #TexasTech AD @kirbyhocutt today. pic.twitter.com/mwRlizgDUG
— RedRaiderSports.com (@RedRaiderSports) August 22, 2018
Ward is a possible starter
Ward is one of the running backs battling for the Red Raiders’ starting gig. Texas Tech needs to replace leading rusher Justin Stockton and third-leading rusher Desmond Nisby. He was set to potentially split snaps with Tre King, who rushed for 623 yards and five touchdowns in 2017.
On Monday, Lubbock NBC affiliate KCBD did a story about how Ward’s redshirt season was setting him up for a comeback. He sat out the season after an injury and also to focus on his academics.
“He’s reinvigorated,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury told the station. “I think he appreciates now what he almost lost. He’s been working really hard in the weight room and handling his business in school. ”
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
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