Bryant Arrested for DUI

One last thing before I head on vacation. To newsworthy to pass up.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Antonio Bryant was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of drunken driving, resisting arrest and speeding after he was pulled over for driving more than 100 mph on Highway 101 and then became “belligerent,” police said today.

A San Mateo City police officer saw Bryant, 25, in Redwood City just before midnight Sunday driving north on the freeway in a 2005 Lamborghini at speeds “well over 100 mph,” Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said. Bryant got off the freeway at Kehoe Avenue in San Mateo and stopped on a side street, Raffaelli said.

“He was initially contacted for reckless driving and excessive speed … but officers noticed signs that he was under the influence and tried to get him to cooperate,” Raffaelli said. “He was extremely uncooperative and belligerent to officers.”

Based on “objective signs” that he was intoxicated, the officers attempted to arrest Bryant for driving under the influence, he said. But the wide receiver “became combative,” Raffaelli said, and refused to get into the police car.

“He ultimately had to be restrained and placed in the car,” Raffaelli said. “He was pretty verbally abusive and derogatory.”

The exchange was recorded on audio tape, he said.

The officer who first spotted Bryant’s car was unable to catch up to it, Raffaelli said. A second officer saw the car a few minutes later and pulled it over near Kehoe Avenue.

Ultimately, eight officers and two sergeants responded to the scene of the arrest, Raffaelli said.

Bryant was booked into San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City at 2:50 a.m. Monday and was released four hours later, according to jail officials. Bail was set at $5,000, but Bryant was released on his own recognizance.

The San Mateo County district attorney’s office has not made a decision about what charges, if any, to file against Bryant. He is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 28 at 9 a.m.

The 49ers issued a statement today saying, “We are aware of the off-field situation involving Antonio Bryant. Due to the nature of the incident, the 49ers are withholding further comment at this time.”

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