Hardiman was arraigned and charged with two felonies - larceny in a building and financial transaction device-possession, both four-year felonies - after an incident at O'Kelly's Bar and Grill June 24.

Zeigler said there were a number of disciplinary issues that led to Hardiman's release from the team last Tuesday, and this recent issue would be looked at after it is through the legal process. It is almost certain conditions would not change, he said.

"As of right now, he is dismissed from the team in violation of team rules, and it's unfortunate that he has these other issues that he's dealing with," Zeigler said. "I'm hoping for him and his family that he can learn from these issues and deal with it moving forward and continue to pursue his degree elsewhere."

Zeigler said because of confidentiality policies, he cannot elaborate on the other disciplinary issues Hardiman has faced.

Last season, senior Marcus Van was dismissed from the team for violating team rules. Earlier in the season, Van was suspended three games for pleading guilty as a youthful trainee in a conspiracy to steal and use a financial transaction device.

However, Van was reinstated weeks later. Zeigler said that is unlikely to happen with Hardiman.

Mount Pleasant Police Public Information Officer Dave Sabuda said the police were called after bar employees were notified by a woman that her purse was stolen around 12:55 a.m. Employees found Hardiman and another man in the bathroom with the purse and were escorted out of the bar.

Once out of the bar, police made first contact with Hardiman, who had the young lady's cell phone and camera in his possession, Sabuda said.

"He said that he'd found the phone and the camera on the floor in the bathroom, and our officers found those in his possession when they stopped him," he said. "Right next to where he'd walked way before they contacted him, they found the young lady's credit card."

Hardiman denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not know anything about the credit card, Sabuda said.

Court documents show Hardiman's bond was set at $8,000. He has been given a court-appointed attorney to represent him and has his second scheduled preliminary examination on Thursday at 8:15 a.m.

Isabella County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Burdick said he has the option to wave his preliminary examination. He will not make a plea until after the case is bound over from district court to circuit court.

This is the fifth player to leave the team this offseason, despite winning the Mid-American Conference West Division last season. Hardiman joins Lawrence Bridges, William Eddie III, Adrian Hunter and Jeremy Allen. The four other players left the program on mutual terms.

Zeigler said despite a hit to the academic progress rate (APR) and the other departures, this is the right decision to make for the program.

"In light of the other departures we've had, it's about doing the right thing for the program, and I know that this is the right decision in light of the circumstances," he said. "This decision definitely was made with the mindset of doing what was right for the program versus APR considerations."

Hardiman's release makes another scholarship available to the program's expense, but it is unlikely to be filled this late.

Hardiman was contacted by telephone Tuesday, but did not return calls for comment.

Hardiman started 28 games last year, recording 9.7 points per game and 4.9 rebouds per game. He was tied for second on the team with 45 steals.

sports@cm-life.com