COLUMBUS - Police are searching for former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett, who is believed to have been involved in a robbery early today in Columbus.

Officers said Mr. Clarett, 22, allegedly pulled a handgun and demanded property from Lucas Nyarke, 28, and Tywona Douglas, 30, in an alley behind the Opium Lounge on South High Street at 1:46 a.m. Police said Mr. Clarett left the scene in a white sport utility vehicle with two other men and got only the cell phone from his alleged victims. Neither was hurt.

Mr. Clarett starred as a freshman on the Buckeyes 2002 national championship team. He sat out the 2003 season after he was charged with misdemeanor falsification for filing a police report claiming that more than $10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment was stolen from a car he borrowed from a local dealership. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Ohio State suspended the star running back for misleading investigators, and for receiving special benefits worth thousands of dollars from a family friend.

Mr. Clarett attempted to join the National Football League the following year - one year earlier than league rules allowed. Courts ruled against him. He did not resume his college career.

Mr. Clarett was drafted in the third round of last year's NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He did not make the team and has remained out of football.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com.

First Published January 2, 2006, 1:37 a.m.