Athlete, Jailed for Week, Cleared in Robbery Case

Robbery and assault charges were dropped Friday against Demetrius Boykins, a football and basketball standout at Gardena High School, who spent a week in jail before law enforcement officials determined he had an airtight alibi.

Boykins, who was charged with one count each of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a Feb. 15 purse snatching, was playing in an L.A. City Section playoff basketball game at the time of the crime, authorities said. In addition, the woman who had identified Boykins as the robber said she made a mistake, Gardena Police Detective Mike Bartlebaugh said.

Boykins was arrested with three other men on March 22 on suspicion of committing eight armed robberies in which cash, jewelry and pro sports team jackets were taken from pedestrians. But police did not charge Boykins in any of those crimes. They also have released two of the other men arrested.