Jonathan Taylor Thomas, former star of Home Improvement , has been arrested in California following a traffic stop that resulted in a conflict between himself and some deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
45 years-old Thomas was arrested early Monday morning, September 21, in Westlake Village after deputies pulled over a vehicle as part of a DUI investigation. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department explained that the vehicle was obstructing traffic flow at an intersection even though the traffic lights were green. Deputies then approached the scene and found out that the driver of the car seemed drunk.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas allegedly refused orders to stay inside car
Thomas was a passenger and was not driving, according to PEOPLE. It is claimed that while the deputies were conducting sobriety tests on the driver, Thomas was consistently leaving his car and approaching the deputies.
A law-enforcement statement cited by PEOPLE said: “The driver was being detained for DUI investigation. Sometime during the investigation, Mr. Taylor decided he would exit the vehicle.”
According to the police, Thomas was told to stay inside the vehicle by the deputies; however, he was “uncooperative” and did not follow the directives. He was then arrested for obstruction and public intoxication.
Police allege he kicked a deputy
The encounter reportedly became physical when deputies attempted to detain Thomas. According to the sheriff’s department statement obtained by PEOPLE, Thomas allegedly “kicked a deputy in the stomach.”
Thomas was booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at about 1:50 am Monday, after being taken there around 12:32 am. He remained in custody for more than 34 hours before being released Tuesday.
Notwithstanding the early reports labeling the incident an arrest, the case of Thomas was downgraded to a detention. As of Wednesday, the district attorney's office had not charged Thomas with any criminal offense.
