CSUN players accused in theft
A son of Cal State Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell and two Matadors players -- including leading scorer Deon Tresvant -- are among four men facing felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $6,600 in merchandise from a Best Buy store on New Year’s Day, authorities said.
Jeffrey Braswell, 22, an employee at the Best Buy in Porter Ranch, logged on to a cash register with another employee’s password and allowed three friends, including the players, to check out merchandise without paying, prosecutors alleged in a statement issued by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
“Obviously I’m disappointed with the circumstances that have taken place with my son Jeffrey and the allegations regarding Deon and Dallas [Rutherford],” Braswell said in a statement released by the school. “At this point, we will allow the judicial process to unfold. As far as my son’s involvement, it is a private matter that my family and support system will deal with.”
Arrested on Saturday, the younger Braswell did not post bail and was held until he was released on his own recognizance Tuesday after being charged with one count of second-degree commercial burglary and three counts of grand theft over $400, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.
Braswell played in exhibition games -- but not during the regular season -- for Northridge as a non-scholarship walk-on in 2005-06. He is being represented by a public defender and did not enter a plea at his arraignment, which was continued until later this month.
Tresvant, 23, and Rutherford, 19, are scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 26 on single counts of second-degree commercial theft and grand theft over $400, along with the fourth co-defendant, Phannuel Gbewonyo, 28.
Tresvant, a senior guard averaging 13.3 points, and Rutherford, a freshman reserve and the son of Dudley Rutherford, pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, were arrested Monday and released on $20,000 bail. They did not did not play in Northridge’s 84-81 victory over UC Davis that night, but the elder Braswell did not explain their absence.
The players’ status with the team has not yet been determined, Athletic Department spokesman Bob Vazquez said. The Matadors, 5-8 overall and 1-1 in the Big West Conference, do not play again until Jan. 14, when they face UC Riverside on the road.
Athletic Director Rick Mazzuto did not return a phone call but issued a statement.
“We are obviously concerned about this matter. However, our primary focus at this point is to support the student athletes and families of the players and Coach Braswell,” Mazzuto said.
Tresvant’s father, Donald Tresvant, said Tuesday he hoped the charges against his son would be reduced.
“He said he really didn’t do nothing,” the elder Tresvant said. “A guy stuck something in the bag and Deon took it out” of the store.
Gary Anderson, Tresvant’s coach when he starred at Long Beach City College, where he scored 63 points in a triple-overtime victory over L.A. Southwest College in 2007, was taken aback by news of his arrest.
“That’s the last thing I’d think Deon would get involved with,” Anderson said. “He was with us one year as a redshirt and one year playing. He was perfect. Deon’s senior year, for him to be involved with something like that would be utter stupidity, but I don’t know the facts.”
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