University of Minnesota junior linebacker Gary Tinsley was charged with two felony counts of fleeing police and three misdemeanors, including driving while intoxicated, after a Sunday morning chase on a moped and on foot in Minneapolis, according to a Minneapolis police report.
Two people were seen driving mopeds the wrong way down a one-way street at 1:10 a.m. Sunday, according to the police report, and ordered to stop. After driving through yards and sidewalks, the report said, one of the drivers, later identified as Tinsley, 20, left his moped and fled on foot before University police captured him.
The other driver evaded police.
"We are aware of the information," Gophers football spokesman Andy Seeley said. "We are working on gathering all of the information."
Tinsley was charged with fleeing police in a motor vehicle and on foot, both felonies. The misdemeanor charges included driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and traffic law enforcement. The Jacksonville, Fla., native was still in police custody at Hennepin County jail late Monday afternoon, according to Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Garcia.
Tinsley was cited by University police in late September for underage drinking and fleeing police on foot, according to a police report. The Gophers did not not suspend him after that incident.
Tinsley is the third Gophers football player to face legal issues this spring. Strong safety Kyle Theret is indefinitely suspended for being cited for driving while impaired last month. Linebacker Sam Maresh received two underage drinking citations in a two-week period.
Tinsley practiced with the first team this spring and was expected to be a starter on defense this season. Theret is a returning starter