A former ISU football player has been arrested and charged with armed robbery in connection with an incident early Sunday morning.

Former defensive back Jerry Gair Jr., 21, was arrested following a traffic stop shortly after 4 a.m. in connection with an armed robbery an hour earlier at the Kwik Shop Convenience Store, 125 6th St.

“He was in the area, matching the physical description given by the store employee,” said Ames Police Cmdr. Randy Kessel.

During the stop, a loaded pistol was discovered in the vehicle Gair was driving. Police subsequently obtained a search warrant and found a ski mask, a dark colored coat and a bag of money, according to an Ames Police press release.

Gair, who is not currently enrolled at Iowa State was charged with first degree robbery, a class B felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. Together, the charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 27 years in prison.

According to past Daily staff reports, Gair was dismissed from the football team last March for “team violations,” coach Dan McCarney said at the time.

Gair, and former running back Tyease Thompson, who was also dismissed from the team in March, were arrested Jan. 24 for attempted burglary in the second degree following an incident at Larch Hall. In October, Gair was given a deferred judgment and three years probation for the incident.

Kessel said no connections have been established between the armed robbery Gair was arrested in and two other recent armed robberies in Ames on Nov. 15 and Nov. 27. In the robberies, which occurred in the early morning hours at McDonald’s restaurant, 3621 Lincoln Way, and Fuel Right gas station, 4510 Mortensen Rd., the suspect was described as a young male wearing a facemask who displayed what appeared to be a pistol.

“We’re certainly pursuing investigative leads for that possibility,” Kessel said of any possible connections.

As of Monday, Gair was being held at the Story County Jail on a $39,000 bond. No injuries were reported during the robbery.