Three WSU athletes arrested on felony vandalism charges

Two football, one soccer players allegedly jumped two cars

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OLIVER MCKENNA | THE DAILY EVERGREEN

The Evergreen works to provide the best information about recent crime and court updates in the Pullman area.

JAYCE CARRAL, Evergreen reporter

After allegedly jumping on and damaging two cars, three WSU athletes were arrested on suspected felony vandalism charges.

Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said the alleged incident was reported by witnesses at 1:14 a.m. Saturday at Cougar Ridge Apartments.

He said the witnesses of the alleged incident reported the suspects leaving the scene by vehicle. The witnesses followed the suspects in a separate car and provided police with license plate information and location of the vehicle.

Tennant said a Whitman County deputy pulled the suspects over in a traffic stop and they were transported to and questioned at the Pullman Police Department.

He said the witnesses and later police identified the three suspects as WSU football players Christian Haangana, Fa’avae Fa’avae and soccer player Makamae Gomera-Stevens.

Tennant said officers were dispatched to the scene of the alleged crime and found evidence corresponding to the descriptions given by the witnesses, including dented roofs and a broken windshield.

Bill Stevens, associate director of athletics, said WSU’s athletic department is aware of the alleged incident.

“We are still looking into it,” Stevens said. “We consider it a team matter and it will be handled internally.”

Haangana, Fa’avae and Gomera-Stevens denied any involvement with the alleged incident, Tennant said.

“They were subsequently arrested and later released … on their own recognizance,” Tennant said. “We are still investigating and a final report will be filed with the Whitman County Prosecutor.”

He said the Whitman County Prosecutor’s office will review Pullman Police Department’s final report and decide whether or not to officially charge the three suspects.

Stevens said the three involved are still currently on their respective teams.

“We’ll see how the process plays out and wait for the legal system to run its course,” he said. “As of right now they’re not guilty … if action needs to be taken then that will be handled internally.”

Tennant said Pullman PD has yet to determine a motive for the alleged crimes, as well as whether or not the three suspects were under the influence of alcohol.