Police: Phi Gamma Delta prank left W. Virginia student bound in trunk

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Police filed charges against several West Virginia University students in connection with what they say was a fraternity prank that involved beating and stuffing someone in a car trunk bound with duct tape, reports CBS Pittsburgh.

Police were called around 11:30 a.m. last Wednesday after witnesses reported someone being beaten and put into a vehicle. They found 21-year-old Christopher Grace of Arlington, Virginia, bound with duct tape in the trunk.

Several other young men were trying to get away in a Nissan Altima with cuts and scrapes on their hands and knees, police said. After taking them into custody, police determined the incident was part of a Phi Gamma Delta fraternity prank, the station reports.

Seven people, ranging in ages from 18 to 21, were charged with disorderly conduct. They are: Luke Russillo, 18, and Joseph Russillo, 18, both from Delaware; Chadwick Miller, 18, of New Jersey; Matthew Kinker, 19, of Illinois; Tyler Audette, 18, of New York; Austin Harpin, of Massachusetts; and Cody Heffelinger, 18, of Pennsylvania, according to the station.

West Virginia University released a statement on the incident:

"Roy Baker, associate dean of students and director of Greek Life, immediately contacted the fraternity's national chapter, and said his office is looking into the matter that is being investigated by Morgantown Police and will take appropriate action once all the facts are known. The matter will also be reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct," it read, in part.