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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three wrestlers from the University of Iowa have been kicked off the team after being charged with burglary following a series of break-ins earlier this year.
The Linn County Attorney's office said Ross Lembeck, Seth Gross and Logan Ryan each face two counts of felony third-degree burglary. The trio all face seven counts of misdemeanor third-degree burglary, two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of conspiracy to commit an aggravated misdemeanor.
Marion police spokesman Scott Elam said Monday that several vehicle break-ins were reported on March 18 in the community 35 miles north of Iowa City.
According to Elam, one of the vehicle's owners saw that an interior light was on and later noticed the athletes — who took off running before being arrested. Elam said part of the delay in issuing charges stemmed from authorities trying to determine the owners of the property reportedly stolen.
Lembeck, Gross and Ryan were redshirt freshmen last season.
Lembeck's attorney, Bruce Kittle, said that "we trust the process and that the truth of Mr. Lembeck's participation or non-participation will be revealed as we work our way through the criminal justice system." Messages left for attorneys believed to be representing Gross and Ryan weren't immediately returned.
Coach Tom Brands, who suspended all three wrestlers following their March arrests, declined comment. But Brands announced later Monday that Lembeck, Gross and Ryan are no longer on the team.
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