Alabama Football Players Arrested: Four Freshman Charged with Robbery, Fraud

Alabama might be the national champions of college football, but their robbery and fraud skills could really use some improvement this off season. Four of the University of Alabama's football players were arrested and charged with second-degree robbery after two separate incidents Monday morning, SB Nation reported. The players have been placed on "indefinite suspension," team coach Nick Saban announced. 

Defensive lineman D.J. Pettway and linebacker Tyler Hayes were both charged with second-degree robbery. Defensive back Eddie Williams and running back Brent Calloway were charged with second-degree robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card. All four of the Alabama players were backups for the team's 2013 BCS National Championship game.

Williams and Hayes came forward admitting to attacking a student, according to the Tuscaloosa News. The players said they stole the student's backpack, which held an Apple laptop, as they punched the him in the head and face, and kicked him in the back and rib area while he was lying unconscious. 

Williams also told authorities the group of players committed another robbery, in which he punched a man in the face while Pettway and Hayes looked on. The victim's wallet and credit card were stolen by Williams who then used the student's ID card to buy food from a vending machine in the football player's dorm.

This is Williams' second run in with the law this week. Police charged the defensive back for carrying a gun without a license Sunday, according to Yahoo! News.

"A clerk in the store told police that Williams came into the store and was acting erratic and threatening that he had something in the trunk of his vehicle after a dispute about paying for gas," said TPD Sgt. Brent Blankley in a press release.  "The suspect and other occupants of the vehicle left the store and began messing with something in the trunk. The clerk then called the police."

The car was eventually found by police who stopped the vehicle and conducted a search on Williams. Police discovered a firearm in the back of his pants. Williams was arrested, charged and released on $500 bond, according to Yahoo! News.

University of Alabama athletic director Mal Moore released a statement on the incidents, saying: "This is a very serious matter and we are very disappointed in the actions that have resulted in the charges against these student-athletes. In this type of situation, the Athletics Department works in conjunction with the University. We will have more to say at the appropriate time."

Head coach Saban also released a statement, essentially saying the players' careers with the school are over. "The young men charged are indefinitely suspended as we continue to gather information and talk to the appropriate people. The University and football program have strict guidelines regarding issues of this magnitude. This behavior is unacceptable for any student-athlete at the University of Alabama and not representative of our football program," Saban said via AL.com.