Cedric Benson in trouble with the law

Police to allege Benson forced way into home
By LORNE CHAN
Special to the Chronicle
AUSTIN -- The Austin Police Department said it will charge Texas running back Cedric Benson with criminal trespass today regarding allegations that he was present when an apartment door was kicked down during a search for Benson's stolen television.

The Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Benson was not available for comment Monday.

"We have talked to Cedric and are aware of the situation," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "We will continue to follow it, but it would be inappropriate to comment any further in this case."

Police Lt. Curtis Kornfuehrer said Amanda Lee Lucas, a UT sophomore, was in her south Austin apartment on Oct. 7 when she heard a conversation outside her door, looked through the peephole and saw four males.

"They came up to her apartment complex, and she heard them talking outside," Kornfuehrer said Monday. "She didn't answer and backed away from the door. Then it was kicked in."

Kornfuehrer said the group entered the apartment and searched for a plasma television. According to Kornfuehrer, Benson asked Lucas if she knew where the television was. The woman, who said she did not recognize the player, told him she did not know what TV he was talking about, Kornfuehrer said.

Lucas told police the group left without taking anything and without any further confrontation.

"She didn't know him from the next guy," Kornfuehrer said, "but then she talked to her roommate later on, who suspected it might be Cedric Benson."

The woman picked Benson out of a photo lineup the next day, Kornfuehrer said.

A television was stolen from Benson last fall. Benson filed a police report saying the plasma television, another television, a Sony PlayStation game, clothing and stereo speakers were stolen from his residence.

Kornfuehrer said there was not enough probable cause to make an arrest in the theft case.

"The roommate (of Lucas) was actually the girlfriend of the main suspect in Benson's burglary," Kornfuehrer said. "He believed that the television was there."

Lucas said she was told not to comment on the situation but gave a written statement to Austin police this past Friday.

"It's up to Cedric on how he wants to handle it," Kornfuehrer said. "We will notify him there's a warrant for his arrest. He's been given the option of getting an attorney and can handle it that way."

Benson was arrested in April 2002 in his hometown of Midland when police said they found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and beer in an apartment that Benson was visiting. Benson denied all charges, and prosecutors dropped the charges weeks later.