Illinois basketball player Darius Paul was arrested after a short foot chase early Tuesday.

Paul, a transfer forward from Western Michigan, is being charged with resisting a police officer and underage consumption of alcohol, University Police Department Capt. Roy Acree said. Paul is due in court on May 16 at 9:30 a.m. for pretrial.

An officer observed Paul and another individual walking in a parking lot at 25 E. Springfield Ave., shortly before 3 a.m.

The officer approached the individuals because of the time of night and because they appeared to be trying to avoid contact with police, Acree said.

The officer lost sight of the pair but was later able to locate one of the men, Paul.

The officer tried to ask Paul a question, and he began to walk faster. When the officer addressed him again, he ran, Acree said.

More officers joined and after a short foot chase, Paul was tackled at 57 E. Healey.

The fact that Paul ran “drastically changed” the nature of the stop, Acree said. Had Paul not run from police, it is possible he would have only received a citation for underage consumption.

It is best not to run from or argue with police if one feels they were stopped for no reason, Acree said.

“If you are stopped, just obey what the police are asking,” he said.

Paul sat out this season per NCAA transfer rules but is eligible to play the 2014-15 season.

“We are aware of the situation that occurred with Darius and are in the process of gathering more information,” head coach John Groce said in a statement. “We need to let the legal process run its course, and then will determine appropriate disciplinary action.”

During the 2012-13 season, his only season at Western Michigan, Paul averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Broncos. He was also awarded the Mid-America Conference Freshman of the Year before transferring to Illinois after the season. He is also the brother of former Illini star Brandon Paul.

The sophomore has three years of eligibility remaining.