NORMAN — A University of Oklahoma freshman football player has been suspended after being arrested on a complaint of stealing gasoline.
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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 signing with the Sooners in February.
The recruiting Web site Rivals.com ranked Broyles as the fourth-best prospect in Oklahoma after a standout career at Norman High School.
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Trey, James/Kansas City...I agree. Good posts. ......The speculation others have made is damaging, it reeks of sensationalism, is far fetched, is irresponsible and downright outrageous. Shame on Bob, Signal Hill, and others who have attempted to plant seeds of rumor and slander. Broyles spent his senior year playing games and trying to stay in the spotlight. His ego was trying my patience way back then. His reputation and his integrity were eroded by his own recruitment game playing....I grew weary of this attention seeking football player...he destroyed his own integrity by the game he played with both schools, their coaching staffs and the media...and, yes, the public, too! No one should be surprised that he is dishonest and would stoop to robbery. After all, he was dishonest during recruitment up to the last minute. What a game he played then! It was one "Bedlam game" that OSU clearly won...and that OU clearly lost. He's really not so much a Sooner as he is just a home grown kid who most certainly knows his way around Norman......but obviously doesn't follow the right path around that town.
I agree, Trey. Excellent perspective. The fact of the matter is that most true and mature fans appreciate opposing teams and their dedication to the sport. As an OSU alum there was no love lost toward OU, especially during the Barry Switzer years. Bob Stoops certainly made it harder to root against the Sooners and I must admit that I have been cheering for OU every weekend except one for the past several years. I agree that the whole "booster theory" is premature and even far-fetched. The only part of this that I find remotely humorous is OSU folks should remind themselves that "but for the grace of God go I..." Broyles was almost a Cowboy.
Thanks Trey, it's nice to hear someone from the other side with the proper perspective. John from Stigler, I have to correct you. OU revieved a harsher punishment in the 80's than was expected. It was OSU that came very close to the death penalty because I believe if my memory is correct they had been recently on probation in another sport before the incident in football. Most of OU's problems at that time were criminal rather than with the NCAA. It was the recruitment of Hart Lee Dykes that got OU, OSU, and Illinios in trouble with the NCAA.
the problem here is everytime something like this happens..the local media glorifies and it gains national attention. My point is try to only report the positive..at some point.. you keep making the headlines and the ncaa will come down on us. This happens at every football program. Just the other schools.. local media is not trying to win a noble prize for journalism.
Don't know facts, etc, about this latest OU snafu, but do know one thing: I am tired of seeing & hearing OU football in the news FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS - Please clean up OUr program, somebody, Please
So, I'm an OSU fan and student and I think Bob is an idiot. Even though I don't think someone should sign a kid that waivers as much as Ryan Broyles and it pains me to say it, but I think OU seems to be doing the right thing. This kid is from Norman and likely did it in high school, which means this has little or nothing to do with OU as a whole. Let's leave this alone and know that Bob Stoops will do anything to avoid NCAA investigations. The kid is probably gone.
"Someone at Mr. Shortstop gave him the key to open the keypad door".......Henderson said he is unsure how anyone could get a key because neither he nor his employees have one.
Looks like more and more this case is turning into an embezlement case. Someone at Mr. Shortstop gave him the key to open the keypad door. Then gave him a code that would put the pump in manual mode. Time will tell if this key was passed around the dorm, lockerroom, or whole football team. If they can prove an employee gave out the key and code, it could add up to the money levels of a felony. Also, if they determine that any one O.U. student had stole enough to reach a felony, we may be looking at a the death penalty for O.U. football and maybe other sports (I'm really reaching out here.) But that hasn't been done as far as I know since the Southern Methodist scandal. That was booze, prostitutes, money gifts, free cars, etc. O.U. was doing that in 1980's and barely missed the death penalty then.
Wow, this is sad on so many levels. First (and most importantly) that a young person would do this kind of behavior, knowing full-well the illegal nature of his actions. Its especially hard to understand when he has such a bright future ahead (2nd string as a true freshman, about to play in his first game a couple of nights later) - not to mention a "free" college education for playing football. But what also is troublesome to me is that after each and every OU or OSU negative event, the way people act towards each other because of their school affiliation - is really a sad commentary. Whatever happened to sportsmanship and friendly competition? Maybe we should focus less on trashing each others schools (and anyone/anthing associated with them) and start spending all that effort trying to encourage our young people to make better choices.
I think Stoops should rethink how he is recruting. Did any of the recruiters check this kid's background at school? I cannot believe this was an isolated incident with Broyles.
Since Broyles is from Norman, isn't it likely that he might have happened to have a friend that works at that gas station that may have given him the code? Anyone thought about that? Why is it automatically "it must be a booster because OU sucks"? I live just down the street from that gas station, and since it's on one of the busiest intersections in Norman, I highly doubt that most football players would be stupid enough to try what Broyles did even if it WAS coming from a booster. I know I've never seen anyone out there doing suspicious things, and the cops always drive by there. But since no one will release any details about what really happened, how about we wait until the whole story comes out before we tar and feather him.
John, my bad and you're right, Stoops hasn't kicked him off the team, which is a disappointment to me as well. I'm as big a Sooner fan as anyone I know and I've stood beside my team through every probation, violation, media rush to judgement, etc, etc, etc. Usually, I'm all in favor of giving a kid the benefit of the doubt and waiting for an investigation to play out but I don't believe that is necessary in this case. It's pretty clear what RB was doing, and in my book it's pretty clear he was stealing. In the climate that is OU football right now, I think this action merits a permanent removal from the team. If he is found to be innocent, can show he's a person capable of making better decisions in the future and wants to be a Sooner at that time then let him try to win his spot back but right now he's putting himself before the team. This should not be tolerated.
Hey Rick, go back and re-read the comment brother I never used the word slanderous in my comment; maybe the question is better asked of you, do you know the definition of slanderous?
Wow, Bob from Signal Hill. I'm amazed at how much detail you seem to know about this story. Perhaps the P.D. needs to be interviewing you ... maybe you are in on this and just couldn't keep a secret. Maybe you gave him the key along with the code ... Why, maybe you ARE the store owner.
Come on guys, such speculation without facts to back them up is really dumb. Let's wait for the real facts to come out.
It sounds more like an inside job to me in which another employee may have passed out more than a free lotery ticket. But again, let's wait and see.
The Oklahoman reported several times that tavern owners in Stillwater complained to OSU that athletes were using fake ID's to get into the bars. We now know that alcohol problems are a serious matter at OSU and that lives are endangered by drunk driving including the former BBall coach. Who is paying for their drinks? A mixed drink at a bar is not for free, or is it? Should the NCAA look into the procurement of fake ID's, free alcohol or money for alcohol? If you have a loved one maimed or killed by one of these goons driving with a blood alcohol content of 2.5 are you going to sue the University? OSU is and has been on record notice that this is an issue.. As for Broyles, if he is guilty Stoops should boot him permanently from the team. This is an intentional act and not just a "slip-up". Many of "our" athletes are out of control. Its time to round em up and put an end to this non-sense.
""No, this was known by the store owner, his own contribution to OU football"".......Wouldn't he just not make them come in and pay if he was in on it?......OU haters are out in full force yet again....It would take a death penalty to both UT and OU to give OSU a chance to ever win the south
Wake up people. Cars to players and coaches from auto dealers for decades. Money to players for jobs when they never show up for work. Were seeing the tip of the iceberg and but one more reason why the NCAA will again whack OU. This time might be much worse given OU's track record.
David, do you even know the definition of slanderous? It's an accurate statement. The team knows of a "matter." That's all that was said. And as for all of you wanting to see this turn into something bigger, maybe you should wait for evidence of a larger problem to materialize before you jump to conclusions.
David, I haven't read where Stoops kicked him off the team. I read where he is "suspended indefinitely." If he's gone for good, credit to Bob Stoops. If not...can't say that I had higher expectations.
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Come on guys, such speculation without facts to back them up is really dumb. Let's wait for the real facts to come out.
It sounds more like an inside job to me in which another employee may have passed out more than a free lotery ticket. But again, let's wait and see.