Ex-Seton Hall Coach Arrested for Shoplifting - Updated

Former Seton Hall University basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez was arrested on shoplifting and criminal mischief charges for an incident at the Mall at Short Hills, according to Millburn police.

The Associated Press reports that Gerald Krovatin, Gonzalez's attorney, said Gonzalez will plead not guilty. Krovatin added that the charges are a "series of misunderstandings."

"He was not taken into custody," Krovatin said to the AP. "He was not handcuffed. He was not arrested. He was issued summonses and complaints and went home."

Gonzalez, of Harrison, N.Y., was arrested and charged at police headquarters on Monday. He was released on his own recognizance. Police Capt. James Miller, public information officer, said it was the former Seton Hall basketball coach, who was fired last spring.

Gonzalez is charged in a June 30 incident at the mall when police responded to a report of property damage at Polo Ralph Lauren. Police said the manager of the store reported the manager of Joe's American Bar and Grill returned a men's satchel from the store. An individual came into the restaurant, left the satchel with the hostess and never returned, police said. The satchel had been damaged in the area where a sensor tag had been attached. The satchel is valued at $1,395.

Gonzalez was fired last March after Seton Hall lost to Texas Tech in the opening round of the 2010 NIT. Since then he filed a claim against the university, to which the university countersued in June, according to a Star Ledger report.

In four seasons, Gonzalez amassed an overall record of 66-59 and a 29-45 mark in Big East Conference games, though the Pirates failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in that time. He was hired by Seton Hall in April 2006 after seven seasons as head coach at Manhattan College and was signed to a three-year contract extension last year.