Wide receiver Ryan Broyles, 19, is accused of having a key that fit a fuel pump at Mr. Shortstop, along with an overriding code to activate the pump, according to Norman police.
By overriding the pump's access code, gasoline can be pumped without the electronic meter detecting it, store owner Ron Henderson said. The difference between the meter and actual inventory, he said, wouldn't be known until someone manually took a tank reading.
"We've been experiencing shortages for several months and we've been trying to figure out where the problem might be,” Henderson said. "We thought maybe we're losing gas in the tanks or in the underground lines. Never once did we dream it could be theft related.”
Henderson said he is unsure how anyone could get a key because neither he nor his employees have one. The former Norman mayor also said he doesn't know whether the alleged attempt was an isolated incident.
Henderson said his tanks were tested for leaks to come up with a cause for the gasoline losses.
Mr. Shortstop sells fuel for Norman-based Rutherford Oil, which Henderson said keeps track of how much gasoline is missing and from which store. Calls to the Rutherford Oil office were not answered.
Broyles was arrested Friday and booked into the Cleveland County jail on a complaint of attempted larceny. He was released a short time later on $200 bail.
A Norman officer became suspicious about 12:10 a.m. Friday when he spotted a sport utility vehicle parked at the store's pumps. The business was closed, but the officer saw a man standing between the vehicle and a gasoline pump, police Capt. Leonard Judy said.
The officer reported the man had a key and apparently knew the overriding codes to activate the pump. The key unlocked a pump door that leads to a keypad used to type the code.
A juvenile was in the vehicle, Judy said. The juvenile was cited for a curfew violation, but the report had no other information on the person.
OU coach Bob Stoops suspended the Norman freshman hours later.
"We are aware of a matter involving Ryan Broyles,” Stoops said in a statement. "Effective immediately, Ryan is suspended from the team for an indefinite period of time. I take very seriously the conduct of our players, and I will not compromise my expectations for anyone associated with our program.”
Earlier in the week, Stoops said the 6-foot, 170-pound Broyles would be one of three true freshmen who might have played tonight against North Texas. On the depth chart released Monday, Broyles was a second-team receiver, behind starter Manuel Johnson.
Stoops and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson had lauded Broyles throughout the preseason for his ability to make plays in practice.
Before his arrival, though, Broyles was best known as the recruit who switched his commitment three times between OU and Oklahoma State before finally sig
