Central Michigan RB Thomas Rawls suspended indefinitely, WR Andrew Flory dismissed
Central Michigan running back Thomas Rawls has been suspended indefinitely by the program after he was arrested Sunday. The arrest stemmed from an April 18 incident in which the senior allegedly stole a purse and several credit cards.
According to the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun, Rawls was issued three felony charges on May 16. He was held in jail “briefly” and was able to post a $1,500 bond. Rawls transferred to CMU from Michigan in July, so his arrest took place before he was a member of the Chippewas’ football program and a student at the university.
He is facing three felony charges for larceny, possession of stolen credit cards and stealing credit cards. The stolen cards include “a Visa card and three store credit cards.”
According to the arrest warrant, Rawls was at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, Mich., when he and two other men saw “an abandoned purse in a chair.” Rawls then sat on the purse and handed it to one of the men he was with. The man then put the purse in a bag before the trio left the casino.
Rawls then used one of the stolen credit cards to “buy sub sandwiches at a casino sub shop.” Later on, “the group bought $33.77 worth of gas with a credit card from the stolen purse.”
Rawls, who has gained 276 yards and three touchdowns on 56 carries this season, did not play over the weekend against Syracuse.
“Central Michigan running back Thomas Rawls will not play in today’s game against Syracuse as CMU continues to review an issue that came to our attention Friday. Central Michigan will not have any further comment at this time,” the school said in a statement released two hours prior to kickoff.
Head coach Dan Enos subsequently announced Rawls’ indefinite suspension on Monday.
Additionally, the program also announced Monday that junior wide receiver Andrew Flory has been dismissed. Per the Morning Sun, the program indefinitely suspended Flory last week for a “violation of team rules.” Flory was previously suspended over the summer after being arrested with former teammate Ryan Oruche for stealing DVDs and snacks from Walmart.
Flory caught 32 passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns in 2013, but did not see the field this season, though he had been practicing before his most recent suspension.
Central Michigan beat Chattanooga and Purdue in its first two games before Saturday’s 40-3 home loss to Syracuse. The Chippewas will face Kansas on the road Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
For more Central Michigan news, visit ChippewaCountry.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
