waldo stadium wmu football

Western Michigan University football team practice at the Waldo Stadium, Wednesday, August 6, 2014, in Kalamazoo, Mich.

(Junfu Han | Kalamazoo Gazette)

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan University football players Eddie Rolle and Devante Lee have both been charged with second-degree retail fraud stemming from an incident on July 12, court records show.

A warrant for Lee's arrest was issued by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office on July 23 and a warrant for Rolle's arrest was issued on July 24.

Devante Lee

Lee and Rolle have each posted a personal recognizance bond, with details stipulating that neither visit any Walmart store.

WMU football coach P.J. Fleck announced that both players had been suspended indefinitely Thursday, which he said was the first day he was made aware of the situation by school officials.

Both players played in Western Michigan's 43-34 loss at Purdue on Saturday.

Fleck said Lee turned himself in to police on Thursday. Also on Thursday, Fleck learned that Rolle had previously turned himself in.

"We didn't know about it and the police never notified us and the players never notified us about us about the situation," Fleck said. "The first time it was brought to our attention was today. They played for us and it's very disappointing. We have team rules in place where if anything happens with the police the players immediately contact us and they failed to do that."

Eddie Rolle

Fleck said in the last week school officials launched an internal investigation suspecting there was a situation. But the coach said it wasn't until Thursday when he learned the details of the allegations, triggering the immediate suspension.

Second or third degree retail fraud is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $2,000.

Second or third degree retail fraud occurs when an offender steals property with a value of at least $200, but not more than $1,000.

Lee, 19, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman from Chicago, is currently on probation for a first offense minor in possession conviction. He pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2013 following a Nov. 16, 2013, incident, court records show. His probation was set to end on Oct. 14.

Rolle, 19, a sophomore linebacker from Miami, Fla., is scheduled to be arraigned in Kalamazoo County District Court on Sept. 17. No date was set for Lee's arraignment as of Thursday afternoon.

Contacted Thursday afternoon, Rolle said he was at the Walmart on Ninth Street with Lee as well as another football player and a former player.

However, he denied stealing anything.

"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Rolle told the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Rolle said he became separated from the group inside the store and when he walked outside he saw police surrounding Lee's car. Rolle said the former player took something from the store but he didn't know what it was.

Rolle acknowledged that he failed to inform Fleck about the incident.

"It was in the back of my mind. I just didn't know how to tell him," Rolle said. "I was trying to figure out a way to do it. It was bothering me the whole time in camp and at practice."

"I do feel like I let the team down," added Rolle, who said he turned himself in Wednesday.

When contacted, Lee referred a reporter to WMU's sports information department.

Western Michigan is on a bye this week before traveling to Idaho on Sept. 13.

Fleck said any thought of reinstating the Rolle and Lee wouldn't happen until after the legal process plays out.

Email David Drew at ddrew1@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.