LA Lakers guard Matt Barnes, who was arrested Monday for failing to appear in court for an unpaid parking ticket, is now being charged with resisting his arrest, although witness and police say that there was no physical confrontation involved.
TMZ reports on Friday reveal that the arresting police waited two hours to make the arrest, merely lurking around the NBA players car outside a restaurant in Manhattan Beach, where he was with his girlfriend.
"Here's where it gets strange. Our law enforcement sources say the arresting officer KNEW Barnes had an outstanding warrant as he watched the NBA forward and his baby mama park their car in a lot Monday night -- and walk a block-and-a-half to MB Post, a popular restaurant in Manhattan Beach, CA -- yet the cop did not approach the hoopster. Instead the officer waited in an alley near the car," according to the celebrity news show.
According to witness testimonies, Barnes pulled away when the police grabbed his hand with which he was handing his girlfriend the car keys, there was neither physical confrontation nor assault. However police say that Barnes was verbally abusive.
But as TMZ reveals, why was the police spying on him for two whole hours. Also the same report claims that at the time of arrest the police did not specify why the arrest was being made.
But the arresting officer Lt. Steve Tobias told CBS News, "Our officer was aware that Mr. Barnes had an outstanding misdemeanor traffic warrant out of our city. He attempted to make contact with Mr. Barnes. Mr. Barnes didn't cooperate and was eventually taken into custody," according to CBS Los Angeles.
Barnes was released from jail after posting a $51,000 bail. He is due in court on Oct. 1 for threatening public officials, which is a felony punishable by a $10,000 fine and one year in jail.
The 32-year-old took to Twitter to express his views on the situation "Funny how a small situation turns into a "Urban Legend"... A $26,000 traffic ticket?? Come on now smh.. Have a good night" on his Twitter page @Matt_Barnes22.
