Virginia Students Face Charges for Stealing Va. Tech Mascot

Nine Virginia Students Face Felony Counts

Nine students from the University of Virginia were charged with felonies relating to the theft of Virginia Tech's "Hokie" mascot in early spring, long before the shootings and extreme violence took place at the campus.

The mascot vanished the weekend of March 24 from the local municipal building's property. The Hokie Bird, the official mascot of Virginia Tech, has been the favorite target of vandals in recent years.

Many legendary rivalries exist in college sports, but the Virginia Tech/UVA rivalry is one the best known. The missing mascot was said to be a "Farmer Hokie" version of the bird.

The report did not say what the Virginia students are being charged with.