NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware football head coach K.C. Keeler has announced the immediate suspension of three members of the Blue Hen team after the three were charged with armed robbery and other offenses in an early Sunday morning incident at an off-campus apartment in Newark.

Sophomore linebacker Demetrice Alexander of Lilburn, GA, sophomore running back Danny Jones of Stratford, NJ, and junior defensive back Jeff Robinson of Fairburn, GA will be suspended indefinitely for their roles in the crime. They will be terminated from the program permanently if they are found to have any involvement in the crime.

“People are innocent until proven guilty, but due to the severity of this situation, we are suspending these three immediately,” said Keeler. “If any of the three is found to be involved in this crime in any way, each will be terminated.”

The three were arrested, along with another UD student, Tyrone Heggins, on Sunday and charged with robbing two other students at the Park Place Apartments. Among the victims was a freshman walk-on member of the football team.

The four each face multiple felony counts and are in Howard Young prison in lieu of bail.

All three have been reserve players for the Blue Hen football team. Alexander played in all 11 games in a backup roll this past fall and recorded 23 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. Jones, a running back, was the team’s third leading rusher in 2005, running for 324 yards on 64 carries, including a 121-yard effort vs. West Chester and 108 yards vs. Maine. Robinson played in five games and had two tackles.

Delaware, which posted a record of 6-5 a year ago after winning the NCAA I-AA national title in 2003 and advancing to the NCAA I-AA quarterfinalsa in 2004, will begin spring practice March 11.

"The University is very concerned about the alleged actions of these students," Cynthia Cummings, associate vice president for campus life, said. "We must ensure that they pose no threat to members of the University community. Therefore, the Office of Judicial Affairs has taken the necessary steps to expel the students from the campus, according to procedures set forth in the Student Guide to University Policies. This action will remain in effect until the charges are dismissed or until the students are acquitted of the charges."