HUNTINGTON - Marshall wide receiver Troy Evans was arrested just after practice Tuesday evening in connection with a string of armed robberies near campus.
He also handled kickoff and punt returns, and was a candidate to do so again this year. He scored on a 100-yard kickoff return last year at Southern Mississippi, and averaged 22.9 yards on those returns. He averaged 7.5 yards on punt returns, with a long of 24.
Evans becomes the third MU player arrested during the last two preseasons, since coach Doc Holliday took over the Thundering Herd program.
On the eve of the 2010 camp, new recruits Antwon Chisholm and Mike Fleurizard were charged with two robberies of pizza delivery men and were quickly dismissed from the team. A third incoming player, Fred Pickett, was dismissed from the team but not charged.
Chisholm made bail and transferred to Hampton, where he was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the year. He also made the All-MEAC second team.
Evans was recruited out of Oakland's Laney College by the staff of former MU coach Mark Snyder. He took a medical redshirt in 2009 after a season-ending injury, rehabbed and returned to play all 12 games in 2010.
Reach Doug Smock 304-348-5130 or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.
HUNTINGTON - Marshall wide receiver Troy Evans was arrested just after practice Tuesday evening in connection with a string of armed robberies near campus.
Troy Lashon Evans, 21, was arrested on the MU campus without incident at about 6 p.m. Tuesday and booked into the Western Regional Jail at Barboursville at 9 p.m. He was charged with four counts of armed robbery and one count of wanton endangerment, and his bail has been set at $250,000.
The robberies occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, and all occurred in the 1500 block of Sixth Avenue, an area with many apartments situated about a block from campus. A few bars are located nearby, as is a convenience store.
The Herald-Dispatch reported Monday morning that three of the four victims - all males - were MU students. One had a struggle with the suspect, and considers himself lucky to be alive.
The victims were able to identify Evans as the suspect, police detectives told WSAZ-TV.
"It's pretty common to see students in the areas around campus late at night when a new semester begins at Marshall," Lt. John Williams told Herald-Dispatch. "It appears the suspect tried to take advantage of that type of situation."
A search warrant was executed at Evans' off-campus apartment, an HPD release said. The findings were not detailed, and Williams said he would be available for more details today.
Evans, a 5-foot-9, 205-pound resident of Oakland, Calif., was the leading candidate among a foursome at the "H" slot receiver position, battling with by Jerome Kelson, Tommy Shuler and Andre Booker. He caught 21 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns last year and gained 38 yards on 11 carries, with two more scores.
He also handled kickoff and punt returns, and was a candidate to do so again this year. He scored on a 100-yard kickoff return last year at Southern Mississippi, and averaged 22.9 yards on those returns. He averaged 7.5 yards on punt returns, with a long of 24.
Evans becomes the third MU player arrested during the last two preseasons, since coach Doc Holliday took over the Thundering Herd program.
On the eve of the 2010 camp, new recruits Antwon Chisholm and Mike Fleurizard were charged with two robberies of pizza delivery men and were quickly dismissed from the team. A third incoming player, Fred Pickett, was dismissed from the team but not charged.
Chisholm made bail and transferred to Hampton, where he was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the year. He also made the All-MEAC second team.
Evans was recruited out of Oakland's Laney College by the staff of former MU coach Mark Snyder. He took a medical redshirt in 2009 after a season-ending injury, rehabbed and returned to play all 12 games in 2010.
Reach Doug Smock 304-348-5130 or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.
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