Staff Report
Vermont State Police said a group of Castleton State College students worked together to steal merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods in Rutland.
Two students - 21-year-old Brandon Boyle and 19-year-old George Busharis - were cited Tuesday for retail theft and police said several other Castleton students were involved but had yet to be identified.
Police said Boyle was working at the store Tuesday and helped Busharis get out with roughly $300 in merchandise. Busharis allegedly told police they had done this two or three times in recent weeks. Police said the store estimated its total losses at around $3,000.
Busharis and Boyle are both football players at Castleton. Castleton State College spokesman Jeff Weld issued a prepared statement Wednesday saying they had been suspended indefinitely from the football program.
“This matter is under investigation in cooperation with law enforcement,” Weld wrote. “Obviously the alleged behavior is unacceptable for any student, whether or not he or she has the privilege of intercollegiate athletic participation. We are very surprised and saddened by this situation.”
Boyle, a Springfield High School graduate, was named to several preseason All-American teams, after catching 96 passes, 18 for touchdowns, in 2012.
Busharis of Mansfield, Mass., is the starting quarterback and passed for 463 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-31 victory at Plymouth State University in the season opener Saturday.
