Prospect charged in locker room theft

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Three suspects, including a highly touted Georgia prep football prospect, have been arrested for thefts from Georgia's locker room, according to area media reports.

Deion Bonner, Marquis Hawkins and a third suspect, a juvenile who was not identified due to his age, were arrested and charged with theft by taking, a misdemeanor, University of Georgia police said. All three are from Carver (Columbus) High School.

Bonner, an 18-year-old defensive back whom the Atlanta Journal-Constitution named one of the state's top 10 prospects for 2012, was charged with one count of theft by taking. Hawkins, 17, was charged with two counts and the juvenile was charged with three counts. The juvenile is 16 years old, the Augusta Chronicle reported.

Bonner and Hawkins were booked at Athens-Clarke County Jail on Monday morning.

The suspects are alleged to have taken iPods and iPhones from the lockers of seven Georgia players during an open house on April 7.

Marquise Hawkins -- who, according to the AJC, is not a college football prospect -- is the twin brother of Carver quarterback Marqui Hawkins, who is a prospect for the Class of 2013, Carver coach Dell McGee said, according to the report. McGee said he was unable to comment on the charges.

Carver High School has been a fertile recruiting ground for Georgia, as 2011 signee Isaiah Crowell, ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 running back in the country and No. 4 in the ESPN 150, and sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jones both hail from the school.

University police chief Jimmy Williamson said search warrants were obtained last week and arrest warrants were issued Friday. Asked how the probe resulted in arrests, Williamson said "Good investigation, people's involvement and Facebook is always a big help," according to the AJC.

The UGA Athletic Association did not return phone calls seeking comment, according to the AJC.

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