Utes' Warren hopes he can regain trust

Paris Warren won't forget his 21st birthday.

Instead of celebrating it by playing in a college football game at Texas A&M, the Utah wide receiver watched it on television — all alone in his apartment.

A day before the Utes traveled to College Station and famed Kyle Field, Warren was arrested for allegedly stealing $8.99 worth of condoms from a Salt Lake City grocery store. He was immediately suspended by Utah coach Urban Meyer, who opted to leave his team's leading receiver at home.

"I could barely even watch the game, though, it was just so tough," Warren said after issuing a public apology Monday after practice. "What I've got to do now is just work hard every day to earn my team's trust back, and my head coach's, even the fans and stuff. I put a big burden on the team."

The Utes dropped a 28-26 decision to Texas A&M without him. Warren, who caught seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in Utah's season-opening win over Utah State, apologized for making a "selfish decision off the field."

The junior, who attended high school in Sacramento and began his college career in Oregon before transferring to Utah, was disgusted and remorseful, according to Meyer.

"He's a good kid," Meyer said "He made a stupid mistake, and he's going to pay a price."

Warren claims he had a lot of things on his mind but couldn't give an explanation for his actions.

"I don't have an excuse," he said. "I just made a big mistake."

Salt Lake City police arrested Warren early Thursday. He has since been charged with retail theft.

An employee at Smith's, 876 E. 800 South, helped Warren get the condoms from a locked case some time before 4 a.m., then watched him leave the store without paying for the items, according to a police report.

The store manager and employee tried to stop Warren, who got into a vehicle that drove away, the report stated. The manager was yelling for the car to stop because he had the license plate number.

Two officers across the street from the grocery store searching for a burglary suspect observed the confrontation and broadcast a request for another officer to stop the car, the report stated. A pair of officers pulled the car over near 1200 East and 700 South.