MOSCOW - Several University of Idaho football players have been disciplined internally for an Aug. 16 shoplifting incident at the university bookstore, according to a university statement.

VandalStore employees noticed that merchandise, valued at $285 in retail, appeared to be missing and reported the incident to Moscow Police, the statement said.

Police conducted an initial investigation before Idaho coaches returned the merchandise within minutes of it being taken.

According to Moscow Police Lt. David Lehmitz, the bookstore didn't elect to prosecute the offenders, who allegedly stole clothing items from the store. The store had been closed to the public, but open to the football team.

"That situation has been handled and they've been internally disciplined and they've already been disciplined and they will continue to be disciplined," Idaho coach Paul Petrino said Tuesday.

Because the merchandise was returned immediately, the university opted not to press charges. The names of the players weren't released.

"Had the merchandise not been returned immediately the VandalStore would have filed charges as it has done in the past, consistent with store practice, but in this case, the merchandise was recovered immediately and the students involved were disciplined," the statement read. "Under the same circumstances, the university would have taken the same action with any other student(s)."