Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has a new mug shot to add to his collection.
Smith was detained by police Sunday at Los Angles International Airport, allegedly for being uncooperative with security personnel and stating he had a bomb.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson would only confirm that a 25-year-old male from San Jose had been detained and was being transported to booking, after which time his name would be released.
“At approximately 1400 hrs, a 25-year-old male resident of San Jose, California, was going through Terminal 1 screening and was randomly selected for a secondary screening,” Sgt. Karla Ortiz said in a statement. “The suspect then became belligerent and uncooperative with the process and with the TSA agent, making a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb before proceeding towards the gate area.
“Los Angeles Airport Police made contact with him at the gate and he was positively identified as the person in question. Once again the male subject became uncooperative and he was detained and taken into custody by Airport Police and is currently being transported to LAPD for booking.”
Smith, who turns 25 on Aug. 25, was at Gate 6 of Terminal 1 when confronted by several police, who then led Smith away from the Southwest gate, according to eyewitness John Egan of Austin, Texas.
“I heard him say, ‘I did nothing wrong,’” Egans said. “The whole thing ratcheted up from there. The cops were trying to calm him down. He wasn’t out of control; just agitated.”
“We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. “As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment.”
Smith has had multiple run-ins with police since joining the 49ers in 2011 and becoming one of the franchise’s all-time best pass rushers.
Last September, Smith was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence following a single-car accident in San Jose, two days before a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith played in that game and then went on a five-week voluntary leave to attend a substance-abuse treatment facility.
Smith is also facing three felony counts of possessing illegal assault rifles, which deputies discovered after a June 2012 party at Smith’s San Jose home. Smith sustained stab wounds at the party, and two partygoers were wounded by gunfire from alleged gang members.
Source: Mercury News
