Florida Lineman Charged With Felony Grand Theft for Stolen Scooter
Reports indicate that a University of Florida football player was arrested and charged with grand theft after he was caught stealing a scooter.
Florida freshman offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker was arrested Wednesday morning in Gainesville after police stopped him for riding a scooter without a license plate.
Campus police explained that the redshirt freshman told police that he knew his license was suspended when questioned, but after a quick search, police found that the scooter was actually reported stolen. Dunker did not know that the scooter was stolen when police asked him, according to reports.
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Dunker was charged with grand theft, a third-degree felony. He was also charged with knowingly driving with a suspended license, which is a second-degree misdemeanor, according to University Police.
Police stated that Dunker was pulled over around 9:30 a.m. close to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after he was spotted following another vehicle too close and was seen to be operating the scooter without a license plate.
An official arrest report will not be made public until Thursday, police said. Dunker was taken to Alachua County Jail and was waiting for a judge to set bond.
The university's athletic association spokesman Steve McClain said Coach Will Muschamp was notified of the player's arrest, but was currently on a recruiting trip and said he would address the situation when he returned.
Dunker becomes the 12th player arrested or cited since Muschamp became the head coach of the Florida football program in December 2010.
Player ranking website Rivals.com had previously listed Dunker as a 4-star recruit who is currently regarded as the fifth-best overall guard in the country. Dunker played his high school ball at Boynton Beach High.
Dunker, who stands 6'6'' and weighs 315 pounds, redshirted as a freshman in 2012 and was thought to be a sure lock for a starting position for the 2013 season.
