Colonie

Siena basketball guard Rakeem Brookins has been arrested for allegedly having a stolen wallet in his dorm room, according to Colonie police.

Brookins, 21, was taken into custody by Colonie police at 7:50 p.m. Friday after the stolen wallet was traced to his bedroom at the college, according to information in the department's public arrest records. A person is charged with grand larceny if they are in possession of a credit or debit card.

Colonie police said security at the college contacted them about the case. After responding, Colonie officers found the victim's stolen debit card and stolen Subway card in Brookins' pocket, according to a police news release.

Brookins was charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny, both felonies, and sent to the Albany County Jail, where he posted bail set at $12,500 bond. Typically a preliminary hearing for Brookins would be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Colonie Town Court. But if he has obtained legal representation that date could be postponed.

The sophomore, who is from the Philadelphia area, was suspended for three games just this past season for what the college called " a violation of athletic department policy," but Siena would not say what the violation was for.

The arrest came nine days after Jimmy Patsos was introduced as Siena's new basketball coach.

"I'm extremely disappointed and we will let the legal process play out," Patsos said.

Siena media relations specialist Ken Jubie declined to comment on what disciplinary action Brookins might face, citing an obligation to protect the confidentiality of students' records.

"Siena College is aware of the situation involving Rakeem Brookins," Jubie said in an emailed statement. "The College is cooperating with the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Colonie Police Department."

It's the third arrest of a current or former Siena basketball player in the Capital Region in the past four years. Guards Kenny Hasbrouck, who had already graduated, and Ronald Moore were charged with drunken driving in separate incidents two months apart in 2010. Both pleaded guilty to reduced charges.

With a new coach on board, the arrest puts in serious jeopardy Brookins' chances of returning to the basketball program next season. He's the Saints' only scholarship point guard after sophomore Evan Hymes announced earlier this month he's leaving to be closer to his home in North Carolina because his mother and grandparents are ill.

Brookins averaged 11.3 points and 2.3 assists for Siena, which went 8-24 this season. He missed 12 games, three because of suspension and nine with chronic back problems.

Siena's program is already undergoing significant upheaval with the coaching change, the graduation of star forward O.D. Anosike and the expected departures of Hymes and junior forward Davis Martens, who is also graduating and decided he won't return for his final year of athletic eligibility.

Patsos will have at least three scholarships to give for the late signing period, which begins on Wednesday. Lavon Long, a 6-foot-7 forward from Columbia, Md., is receiving a release from his letter of intent at Loyola University, according to his mother, Lisa. Long will visit the Siena campus at a date to be determined.

Long signed with Loyola when Patsos was still the coach there. Marquis Wright, a 6-foot point guard from North Point (Md.), is another Loyola signee who is a possibility to come to Siena instead.

lstanforth@timesunion.com • 518-454-5697