Explanation provided as why charges were dropped against former CFL lineman Alex Bazzie over alleged ATM incident

Former CFL defensive lineman Alex Bazzie is no longer facing a breaking and entering charge tied to an alleged 2024 incident after the case was dismissed without prejudice.

Court records show that Judge Maryclaire Akers of the Circuit Court of Kanawha County issued the dismissal on March 18, 2025. The ruling was made under Rule 48 of the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure, which requires a case to be thrown out if there is an unnecessary delay of more than a year in presenting the charge to a grand jury.

Bazzie was arrested in Charleston, West Virginia, in January 2024 following allegations that he attempted to break into a drive-thru ATM at United Bank in Kanawha County using a pickaxe and tire iron. Authorities claimed the exterior of the machine was opened but the internal safe was never accessed, and no money was taken. The accusations were never tested in court. has contacted the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for comment.

At the time of his arrest, Bazzie was serving on the coaching staff at the University of Charleston. He was relieved of his duties after the charge was filed.

A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Bazzie enjoyed a seven-year career in the CFL, including five seasons with the BC Lions. After joining the club in 2014, the six-foot-one edge rusher totaled 29 sacks across his first three campaigns, highlighted by an 11-sack season in 2016 that earned him West Division all-star honours and an opportunity in the NFL.

He later spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals before returning to B.C. late in the 2017 season. Bazzie then signed with the Edmonton Elks in free agency, playing two seasons in Alberta, and later joined the Toronto Argonauts prior to the cancelled 2020 campaign. He closed out his playing career with a final stint in B.C. in 2021.

Over 80 CFL games, Bazzie recorded 159 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, 43 sacks and two forced fumbles.