Field hockey player accused of shoplifting seeks probation

ROCKVILLE, Conn. (AP) A star player on the national champion University of Connecticut field hockey team accused of stealing $34 in makeup from the campus bookstore has applied for a probation program that could clear her record.

Charlotte Veitner applied for accelerated rehabilitation Wednesday in Rockville Superior Court. The program for first-time, nonviolent offenders results in charges being erased after a probation period.

Her lawyer, Robert Britt, says he won't comment while the case is pending.

UConn officials confirmed that the senior mechanical engineering major is still enrolled at the school, but said they can't give any detailed comment because of federal student privacy laws.

''Any disciplinary action will be handled internally,'' said UConn spokesman Pat McKenna.

The 22-year-old forward from Dusseldorf, Germany, led the country with 34 goals during UConn's run to the NCAA title.

Veitner was observed on surveillance video trying to conceal the makeup inside her shoulder bag at the bookstore on Feb. 4, according to the police report.

Vietner paid for another item and was heading toward the door when the store's loss-prevention staff stopped her, the report said.

She was charged with misdemeanor larceny and is free on $1,500 bond.

Veitner, the school's all-time leading scorer, led UConn to a 23-0 season and netted both goals in the Huskies' 2-1 win over Maryland in the national title game in November.

It was UConn's fifth title and third in five years.

She was recognized in December by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards with a Honda Sport Award, which is given to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports.