Tennessee offensive lineman Coleman Thomas arrested on theft charge

Tennessee freshman offensive tackle Coleman Thomas was a standout at center throughout his high school career.
Tennessee freshman offensive tackle Coleman Thomas was a standout at center throughout his high school career.
photo Coleman Thomas practices in this 2014 file photo.

KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee offensive lineman Coleman Thomas was arrested on Wednesday on felony theft charges after he sold a video game system and three games to a local store.

According to a Knox County Sheriff's Office arrest report, an Xbox, one controller and three games were stolen out of James Shelton's dorm room on March 13, the Friday before Tennessee's spring break.

Thomas was arrested after it was discovered he sold the items to a GameStop located on Clinton Highway in East Knoxville. The cost to reimburse the store was $176. Theft of items between $500.01 and $999.99 is a Class E felony.

The rising sophomore tackle was released on $2,000 bond, according to the KCSO report.

He has been "removed from all team activities," Tennessee spokesman Jimmy Stanton said.

Thomas was absent as the Volunteers held their second spring practice on Thursday afternoon.

photo Tennessee offensive lineman Coleman Thomas was arrested on felony theft charges on March 26, 2015. (Photo courtesy of the Knox County Sheriff's Office)

According to a University of Tennessee Police Department report, the student reported the afternoon of March 13 that someone had entered his dorm room in Reese Hall and taken his Xbox along with a controller and three games. Those items, according to the UTPD report, were worth $640.

The 6-foot-6, 328-pound Thomas started five games at right tackle as a freshman in 2014 before missing a couple of games due to an ankle injury. When the Vols opened spring practice on Tuesday, Thomas was with the first-team offensive line at right tackle. He was one of seven players to speak to the media after practice.

Tennessee's assistant coaches are scheduled to speak to the media after practice.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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