Three Slippery Rock University students, including two members of the university football team, and an additional man are currently facing charges after involvement in an armed robbery at The Grove apartment complex on Thursday afternoon, according to state police.
Trooper Dan Keston said that around 2 p.m, four men barged into an apartment in The Grove apartment complex. Keston said that $200, keys and a cell phone were stolen from the resident’s apartment. He said the men then fled the scene.
“What is learned is that Julian Durden, 21, of Pittsburgh, was one of the actors along with Calvert Anderson, 23, of Johnstown,” Keston said.
Both Anderson, physical activity and fitness management major, and Durden, professional studies major, were members of the Slippery Rock football team prior to the incident and have since been dismissed according to Jon Holtz of SRU Athletic Communication. Durden, a running back, led Slippery Rock with 19 rushing touchdowns and was second in rushing yards per game with 76.82. Slippery Rock football recently won its second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship game at West Chester Saturday, where Durden rushed for two touchdowns. SRU is currently preparing for its home game versus Virginia Union in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Both players were arrested during Slippery Rock’s team practice Thursday evening.
“I am very disappointed in the selfish actions of these two men,” Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik said in a press release supplied by the university. “This is certainly not typical behavior among the men in our program and will not be tolerated. Both of these men were immediately and permanently dismissed from our program. Their actions are not representative of the players on our team.”
Keston said that the state police had a warrant to search the two players lockers. State police recovered the money from one of the lockers.
He said that the police also recovered the firearms and five pounds of marijuana from a different location.
Keston said state police put a report out for the vehicle used in the crime and Robert Brown, 22, of Pittsburgh was found driving the vehicle and was arrested at the time. Keston said police searched the vehicle.
Police discovered communication major Quatrell Jones, 23, of Johnstown, was the fourth person involved after he turned himself into the Slippery Rock University police Friday morning. Police took Jones into custody.
“I am saddened and angry by the actions of these individuals,” President Cheryl J. Norton said. “They certainly are not representative of the character of students at Slippery Rock University and their actions have violated the fundamental principles of the caring community Slippery Rock University has sought to build.”
Rita Abent, executive director for Slippery Rock University public relations, said the university immediately notified students of the situation.
“All the individuals involved have been banned from campus and face not only criminal charges but University sanctions as well,” she said.
General Manager of The Grove, Meagan Reed, said she is not to comment on the situation.
Durden, Anderson, Brown and Jones are currently in custody at the Butler County Prison.
