Four Hofstra University Star Basketball Players Charged in Burglaries

Four Hofstra University basketball players have been charged with stealing high-dollar electronics and cash from dorm rooms on the school's Long Island campus.

The four defendants were arraigned on Friday in New York's Nassau County, where they pleaded not guilty.

They were identified by police as Kentrell Washington, Jimmy Hall, Dallas Anglin and Shaquille Stokes.

"They would be in a dorm room visiting another student [and] if there was another unoccupied room in the suite, they would take liberty and remove iPads and laptops," said Lt. Ray Cote of the Nassau County Police Department.

Police said the students' star status as basketball players gave them unique access to students' rooms, where they allegedly swiped an estimated $20,000 worth of cash and electronics over the past two months.

The stolen goods were then sold on Craigslist, at pawn shops and on the street, police said.

None of the four players have prior criminal records. Defense attorney, Frank Whelan, said they are innocent.

"The defendants are going to be found not guilty because the facts in this case are not what the prosecution wants you to believe at this time," Whelan said.