IU basketball freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako was arrested in Bloomington early Sunday morning.
Zach Osterman of the Indy Star reported the news first.
The freshman forward was booked on a pair of charges: criminal trespass, and resisting law enforcement. Each is a Class A misdemeanor.
A report existed on the Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept. website overnight before Mgbako posted bond.
The Daily Hoosier is working to confirm more details. We received the following acknowledgment of the situation via IU Athletics:
“IU Athletics is aware of the situation. We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal process, and take further action as the evolving situation warrants.”
Bloomington Police Department captain Ryan Pedigo released the following statement on the arrest:
“On October 22nd at approximately 2:15 a.m., officers responded to Taco Bell, located at 3001 E Third Street, in reference to a man refusing to leave the property. Upon arrival, officers were advised by Taco Bell management that they were refusing service to the man in a vehicle in the drive-thru due to him cursing at and being rude to employees.
“Officers made contact with the man, who refused to identify himself but told officers he was 18 years old. The man was later identified as Mackenzie Mgbako. Officers asked Mgbako to move his vehicle from the drive-thru line, which he agreed to do and moved the vehicle into a parking space in the Taco Bell lot.
“Upon speaking further with management, they requested officers to tell Mgbako to leave the property. Officers explained to Mgbako he needed to leave the property, and he refused to do so and kept the windows closed on his vehicle. At one point, Mgbako began to drive out of the lot but then reversed his vehicle and parked again in a parking space on Taco Bell property. He was told repeatedly he needed to leave the property by officers but failed to comply and stayed on Taco Bell property for approximately 15 minutes.
“Officers determined Mgbako would be arrested for trespassing, but he then moved his vehicle to a nearby lot and parked again. Officers approached his vehicle and advised him he was under arrest and he needed to exit his vehicle, but he refused to do so.
“Officers had to use a baton to break the passenger side window of the vehicle to unlock the doors. Upon opening the driver’s door, Mgbako was given commands to exit the driver’s seat, but he refused to do so.
“Officers had to forcibly remove him from the vehicle, and he tensed his arms and would not allow officers to secure him in handcuffs. Officers were able to eventually place him in handcuffs, and he was then transported to the Monroe County Jail, where he was remanded for criminal trespass, class A misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement, class A misdemeanor.”
The 6-foot-8 Mgbako was a 5-star recruit and expected to be a starter for Indiana this season.
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