Royce White Investigated in Campus Theft

MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota freshman basketball player Royce White is under investigation for another crime, according to the team. Gophers spokesman Garry Bowman said White, already suspended following an arrest at Mall of America in October, is being investigated in the theft of a laptop computer from a student' dorm room over the weekend.

"I don't have any real details other than the police are investigating a theft at a dorm and Royce's name came up," Bowman said.

University of Minnesota Deputy Police Chief Chuck Miner said the laptop was stolen from a student's room at Territorial Hall around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. 

The victim of the alleged theft told police she left her room unlocked while taking a shower and returned her laptop was gone. A neighbor across the hall saw four men, one of whom she recognized from news reports as Royce White, in the hallway at the same time.

No one saw Royce White take the laptop and the other men have not been identified. As of Tuesday night, detectives had not talked to White. U of M athletic director Joel Maturi confirms he was contacted by campus police and told White was a suspect.

FOX 9 News left a message for Royce White Tuesday night, but he did not return the call.

Campus police are reviewing surveillance video, conducting interviewing and hope to finish their investigation in the next week or two, Miner said.

Royce White was charged earlier this month with theft and assault for allegedly shoplifting and pushing a mall security guard at the Mall of America Macy's.