Robbery investigation leads to arrest, suspension of two A&M players

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M indefinitely suspended two football players Thursday after their arrests a day earlier on felony robbery and drug counts.

Yemi Babalola was charged with two aggravated robbery counts and one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession, according to a College Station police statement. Brandon Joiner was charged with three drug possession counts, one a felony.

Babalola was free Thursday on bond totaling $52,000, according to records at the Brazos County Jail. Joiner remained in jail with bond set at $16,000, records show.

A spokeswoman for the Brazos County district attorney's office said Thursday an arraignment hadn't been set.

According to the police statement, one resident suffered minor injuries in the home invasion on Nov. 29 at the Callaway Villas Apartments. The investigation led to the search of the suspects' homes on Wednesday, and drugs and other evidence were found, according to the statement.

Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said he and interim coach Gary Darnell determined both players would be suspended "until cleared of any wrongdoing."

"From information we have at this time, it is obvious this is a very serious situation," Byrne said in a statement. "The Texas A&M athletics department will cooperate completely with any investigation into this matter to gather all of the facts."

Babalola, a junior offensive lineman, played in nine games this season, including six starts. Joiner, a freshman defensive end, took a redshirt season and didn't play.

Texas A&M (7-5) plays Penn State (8-4) on Dec. 29 in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.