College athletes, pro athletes and even high school athletes run afoul of the law at times. Back in the 1980s, University of Virginia center Olden Polynice, a 7-0 sophomore, was caught stealing a headset for his Sony Walkman at a Rose’s department store. Many others have been busted for shoplifting since then. Most recently it is a defensive back on Florida State’s football team.

Florida State cornerback Avis Commack was arrested by Florida State University police in the theft of an iPad that he told investigators that he had found.

Commack, who graduated Friday, is a redshirt junior defensive back who played in all 12 games this season, making nine tackles. He signed with FSU as a wide receiver and was switched to defense last year.

According to the FSU police report, the victim was working in a computer lab Dec. 6 at University Center D, in the Coyle Moore Athletic Center where the football facilities are located. The victim told police she left to get a drink and when she gathered her belongings to leave about 11 p.m., she notice her backpack, with the iPad inside, was missing.

Thieves Not the Sharpest Tools in the Shed

FSU police investigators then began tracking the times when the iPad was logged onto the university network, and in the next three days, the device was logged in with Commack's log-in information. When university police called Commack to meet with them, he gave them the iPad and said he found it.

Commack was arrested Friday after turning himself in. He was charged with a third-degree felony for theft of an item between $300 and $5,000.

Although FSU coach Jimbo Fisher did not immediately suspend Commack, it is school policy that athletes charged with felonies cannot compete in events. The Seminoles will play Notre Dame Dec. 30 in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.

A Trend?

Commack is the third First Coast High School graduate to have gone to FSU to be arrested in the last two years. Linebacker Nigel Carr was dismissed from the team after being arrested for car burglary in July of 2010 and running back Jermaine Thomas was charged twice with driving for suspended license last winter that stemmed from unpaid parking tickets.

Perhaps FSU should implement mandatory stop theft and alcohol awareness classes for its student athletes.