Ex-CBA star busted for alleged tip jar theft, assault

NORTH GREENBUSH —  Police are investigating a former Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) and UAlbany running back for his alleged involvement in a robbery and assault at a North Greenbush pizza shop.

Twenty-one-year-old Elliot Croskey and John Duru, 18, were arrested for allegedly stealing a tip jar at Rute 4 Pizza.

According to police, an employee at the store attempted to get the jar back, but the two men attacked the worker. Before fleeing, police said the pair also men managed to steal even more money from a parked car just outside the restaurant.

Croskey was a standout running back at CBA in Albany, where in his senior year of high school, the Schenectady native rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He also went on to play at UAlbany, but was suspended from the team in 2016 and later transferred to Nassau Community College.

According to a 2016 Times Union story, Croskey hoped to wow Division I coaches and transfer out of the Long Island school after just one season. On Friday he sat in the Rensselaer County Jail after being arraigned on felony robbery, assault and larceny charges.

Duru was released to his probation officer after being charged with felony robbery, larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The Pizza employee, whose name was not released, was treated at a local hospital and then released.