Associated Press

2009-10 preview

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"I don't have any real details other than the police are investigating a theft at a dorm and Royce's name came up," Gophers spokesman Garry Bowman said.

White already faces charges for allegedly shoplifting and shoving a security guard at a mall last month.

University of Minnesota Deputy Police Chief Chuck Miner said the laptop was stolen from a student's room at Territorial Hall on the East Bank campus about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. He said he couldn't confirm White is a suspect because the investigation is ongoing and because of state data practice laws.

"We have suspects at this time," Miner said. "Nobody has been charged or arrested."

White did not immediately return a phone message left Wednesday with a woman who identified herself as his mother but would not give her name. She declined comment and wouldn't say if White has an attorney.

Minnesota has been plagued by off-the-court issues in the last month. (Andy King / Associated Press)

Campus police are looking at surveillance video, talking to people and hope to finish their investigation in the next week or two, Miner said. He said the dorm room was not locked and there was no forced entry, but the burglary was reported shortly after it happened.

White is charged with misdemeanor theft and fifth-degree assault for allegedly shoplifting and shoving a security guard at the Mall of America on Oct. 13.

Coach Tubby Smith announced on Nov. 3 that he was suspending White indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

White sat out two preseason games, and Smith said White would not play in No. 25 Minnesota's opener Friday against Tennessee Tech. Beyond that, White's status is unclear.

White has a Nov. 17 arraignment scheduled for the mall incident. Bloomington police say Royce tried to steal a pair of pants and a shirt worth about $100 combined. When confronted, they say, he shoved a Macy's security guard several times and walked out of the store.

White was dismissed from DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis for academic misconduct before finishing his prep career at Hopkins, where he led the Royals to the state Class 4A championship.