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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Former Vandal player charged

Former University of Idaho football player Tone Taupule has been charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery after allegedly stealing $1,000 from a UI student Thursday night.

Taupule allegedly was inside the apartment of a UI student when the man returned home at about 7:30 Thursday night, assistant Moscow police chief David Duke said. When the student emerged from his bedroom, Taupule pulled out a pistol and ordered him to open a safe. Taupule took approximately $1,000 and then hit the man in the head with the weapon and fled, Duke said.

Police received a call from Gritman Medical Center, where the student was treated for lacerations and received some stitches, Duke said.

“(Taupule) was identified through a friend of the victim,” Duke said. “A friend of the victim was previously in the apartment with another person that had a football jersey on, believed to be the suspect. The victim knew of the suspect through an acquaintance.”

Taupule, who was arrested without incident at about 4:30 Friday morning, was arraigned later at the Latah County Courthouse on felony charges of robbery and aggravated battery. He faces a preliminary hearing March 22, which is also Taupule’s 23rd birthday. Taupule remains in the Latah County Jail. Bond was set at $100,000.

Taupule started at safety for most of two seasons at Idaho, finishing with 36 tackles in 2005 and 34 in 2006. He graduated from Jordan High School in Long Beach in 2002 and played at Compton and Los Angeles Harbor junior colleges.

Taupule was one of several Vandals to participate in Idaho’s Pro Day last Tuesday. Scouts from professional football teams visited Moscow as Vandals players went through various drills.

Idaho athletic director Rob Spear wasn’t immediately available for comment. Spear was believed to be traveling after attending the Vandals’ games at the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament in Las Cruces, N.M.

Taupule was arrested by Moscow police on Feb. 16, 2006, for driving with a suspended license, Duke said. His California driver’s license was suspended for failure to pay tickets, according to Duke.