Football players in court for break-ins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Three teens, members of the Ottawa Hills High School football teams, are in custody, suspected of at least nine home invasions in East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Cascade and Ada Township.

Two of the three are members of the varsity team, the other is 15 years old and part of the JV team. However, none of them will be playing until the charges are resolved.

Ray Freeman and Kendrae Mayberry, each 18, were arraigned Friday afternoon. School officials said Freeman is an accomplished athlete who had a chance at a college football scholarship.

In court Friday, Freeman told Judge Sara Smolenski he is already on probation for a felony, and district court records indicate it's connected with another burglary. There is no public record of the case in Circuit Court, where felony cases are sent.

They were arrested Thursday in the Forest Hills area after one of them allegedly knocked on a door and found the resident at home. The home owner became suspicious and called Kent County deputies. A short time later another caller reported a suspicious van parked in a neighbor's driveway.

When deputies got there four young men sprinted out the back door. Deputies caught three, and the fourth suspect is known but not in custody at this writing.

Smolenski set bond for Freeman and Mayberry at $20,000 each.