University of Nebraska football players Neil Smith...

University of Nebraska football players Neil Smith and Lawrence Pete were booked into a Lincoln, Neb., jail on suspicion of two counts of misdemeanor vandalism after they allegedly punctured one tire each on two police cars.

They were released after each posted a $50 bond.

Police department policy stipulates that when investigating an alleged misdemeanor, officers can either write a ticket or, if the suspect has failed before to appear in court, jail the suspect.

According to court records, Pete, a starting nose guard, failed to appear on a 1985 speeding ticket. Police said Smith, a starting defensive tackle, was jailed because he refused to give such basic information as his name and age when questioned about the incident.