Former WKU Football player arrested on multiple charges

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The front office of the WKU Police Department.

Michael Crimmins, News reporter

Former WKU offensive lineman Thomas Aronokhale Jr. was arrested on Oct. 27 outside of Pearce Ford Tower. 

Aronokhale has been charged with second degree disorderly conduct and second degree fleeing or evading police on foot.

WKU Police was initially called to deal with a theft complaint at Douglas Keen Hall involving Aronokhale.

“Officer Miciotto arrived on the scene and attempted to make contact with Aronokhale,” a WKUPD report obtained by the Herald said. “Aronokhale began to walk away from Officer Miciotto. Aronokhale was instructed to stop and began to flee by running in front of Keen Hall to Pierce [sic] Ford Tower near the dumpsters.”

Miciotto located Aronokhale, pointed his taser at him and commanded him to the ground, which Aronokhale did. He was then transported to Warren Regional Jail.

WKU Police encountered Aronokhale two times before and “during all three encounters, Aronokhale was displaying threatening behaviors and being an annoyance to the public,” according to the report. 

During the first two encounters, Aronokhale appeared to be “very confused and paranoid.” According to the report, he appeared to be having a conversation with himself.

The theft victim declined to report due to the property being returned, but another person said she was “touched inappropriately” by Aronokhale.

According to the police report, Aronokhale identified himself as a football player when police responded to a welfare check. 

When police responded to a second welfare check on Aronokhale, the report stated he asked a nearby student to begin filming.

When told by the officers that he was not on the team, Aronokhale asked to borrow the student’s phone and began walking away.

“Aronokhale walked away with her phone and showed other students what she was looking up,” the report states. “Eventually Aronokhale looked up his information and showed his photo on the WKU Football Team.”

WKU Football confirmed to the Herald that Aronokhale was removed from WKU’s football roster in early October.

“Thomas Aronokhale was removed from the WKU Football team on October 10, 2021, for a violation of team rules,” the program said in its official statement.

Aronokhale did not play a single snap for the Hilltoppers following his transfer from Ohio University in July. The Innsbruck, Austria native decommitted from the University of Louisiana-Monroe before coming to the Hill. 

News reporter Michael Crimmins can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @michael_crimm