UPDATE (12:26 p.m): Lubbock County district attorney Matt Powell dismissed felony theft charges against Texas Tech running back Da'Leon Ward, according to a report from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Powell cited lack of evidence. 

Ward was initially arrested on Tuesday afternoon and charged with theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony. The Lubbock County Sheriffs Office charged Ward with the crime. 

Ward was released from jail on Wednesday morning around midnight, according to Lubbock County jail records. 

The incident in question involved a string of stolen cell phones at the Texas Tech Student Recreation Center in November. A grand jury opted to indict Ward in June, and an arrest warrant was executed on Tuesday. 

“I’m sorry the young man got arrested,” Powell told the Avalanche-Journal. “He should have never been arrested, the case should have never been filed.”

A Texas Tech spokesman said that the university is still looking into the incident. 

Original story: Texas Tech running back Da’Leon Ward was arrested on Tuesday afternoon by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, according to arrest records.

The arrest was first reported by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams. The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office reports that Ward was arrested at 2:35 p.m. WIlliams reports that Ward was arrested for theft between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony.

A Texas Tech spokesman said the university is still looking into the matter and has no statement at this time. 

Ward became the first freshman running back since 1999 to lead Texas Tech in rushing yards in 2016. However, he redshirted the 2017 season after suffering an injury and having to deal with personal and academic issues. Previously, Ward was a two-time all-state player at Dallas Skyline. 

Ward is expected to be a key member of the running back rotation. Former Texas Tech running backs Desmond Nisby and Demarcus Felton both opted to transfer during the offseason. If Ward misses any time, Tre King will be the only running back with any meaningful experience.