DETROIT – Former Michigan State University basketball star Keith Appling was charged Tuesday in an alleged incident involving guns, drugs and running from police.
Appling, 24, is charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and obstructing police, and felony firearms violations.
According to police, a blue 2013 Dodge Charger driven by Appling was stopped Sunday night after it was seen committing a traffic violation at 7 Mile Road and Russell Avenue.
Police said a strong odor of marijuana was coming from inside the vehicle and asked Appling for his driver’s license. When the officer reached for the license, Appling rolled up his window and drove off, according to police.
The officer was not injured.
Police pursued the vehicle and Appling was arrested at about 9 p.m. in the area of State Fair Avenue and Orleans Street on the Detroit’s east side.
According to police, a Gucci bag was on the rear seat when Appling was initially pulled over but was missing when he was arrested. Officers backtracked over the pursuit route and found the bag on the side of the road. Police said inside the bag was paperwork with Appling’s name on it and a blue steel Beretta loaded with 10 rounds.
Appling is expected to be arraigned Tuesday.
3 arrests in 6 months
In June, Appling was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle. He was allegedly in the backseat of his brother’s vehicle when they were pulled over for speeding in the area of Hanna Street and 7 Mile Road. Appling allegedly tried hiding a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson under a car seat.
In May, Appling was arrested in the parking lot of a Dearborn strip club on Michigan Avenue. Police allegedly found a handgun, a small amount of suspected marijuana and a loaded AK-47 in the trunk of his car.
Appling is a Detroit native who played basketball for Pershing High School and then MSU before spending the last year with the Orlando Magic’s Developmental League team.