2 UNT Football Players Arrested, Accused of Shoplifting From Wal-Mart

Two University of North Texas football players have been arrested for shoplifting from a Wal-Mart in Denton.

Christopher Loving, 21, and Shedrell Ellis, 19, were arrested on Tuesday for stealing two televisions from the Wal-Mart located on the 1500 block of S. Loop 288 nearly one week ago.

Surveillance footage from the store shows three men selecting two televisions and exiting the Wal-Mart through the garden area without paying for them, according to Denton police documents.

One member of the group pushed a shopping car out of the store with a 32-inch television set and then a second man pushed a separate shopping cart out with a 24-inch television set, according to police documents.

The men drove away with the items and police later identified two of the men as Loving and Ellis from the UNT football team.

Denton Police say they contacted the two about the situation and they came willingly to the department to be interviewed. At that time the two admitted to the crime and turned the televisions over to authorities before they were charged with theft over $50 and less than $500 - Class B misdemeanors, according to an affidavit.

Each was held on $100 bail, according to Denton police.

Both men have been bailed out of the Denton City Jail.

Criminally the charge carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a $2000 fine according to the Texas Penal Code.

Ellis, who goes by “Sed” and is listed as a sophomore, was expected to be up for a starting linebacker position this season, according to our partners at the Denton Record Chronicle. Loving, a junior, is a back-up tight-end according to the team’s website.

Leaders at the University of North Texas Athletic Department including Head Football Coach Dan McCarney met with the 2 on Wednesday and decided to suspend them indefinitely from play.

In a statement to the press Coach McCarney wrote:

"After having a chance to speak with Chris and Sed about this situation I have decided to suspend them from the North Texas football program indefinitely. We have built this program on integrity and we have high expectations from all of our student athletes on and off the field. This type of behavior will not be tolerated."

A University spokesperson said they are unable to comment any further due to federal law as the situation pertains to individual student conduct and discipline

NBC 5's Brian Scott contributed to this report.
 

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