By Nate Atkins
MLive.com
NEW YORK CITY — Trevor Bates was arrested in New York City for allegedly refusing to pay a cab driver, and that was only where the early morning began to go wrong for the backup Lions linebacker.
Bates was arrested around 3 a.m. Saturday morning and then transported to a nearby jail, but when it came time for fingerprinting, he became unruly with officers. Bates allegedly punched an officer above the left eye, causing a laceration that needed three stitches, police said.
Bates was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center for a psychiatric evaluation. He is still in police custody, awaiting arraignment on charges of second-degree assault, obstructing government administration, theft of services and resisting arrest, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced. If convicted, he faces probation and up to seven years in prison.
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“We are aware of the arrest of Trevor Bates earlier today in New York,” Lions general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. “We have not spoken to Trevor as of yet and are still in the process of gathering more information. The Detroit Lions will have no further comment at this time.”
The night started when a cab driver accused Bates of refusing to pay a $32 fare. Police arrested Bates in front of a Hampton Inn Hotel in Queens. Bates was transported without incident to the 115th Precinct and notified that as long as he didn’t have any outstanding warrants, he would be released with a ticket.
Bates then grew agitated and refused to be fingerprinted, the district attorney said. NYPD sergeant James O’Brien attempted to calm him down, but Bates responded by punching O’Brien in the face. Police then tasered Bates in order to subdue him.
O’Brien was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for a laceration that required three stitches, New York police said. He also suffered a concussion. He has since been released from the hospital.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association, the union that represents O’Brien and other NYPD sergeants, had strong words for Bates’ actions:
https://twitter.com/SBANYPD/status/1089253328758996994
Bates’ agent, Jeff Jankovich, has declined comment at this time.
Bates, 25, appeared in nine games for the Lions this season, playing mostly on special teams. He recorded three tackles. He arrived in Detroit after playing for Matt Patricia in New England in 2017. He is signed through 2019 on a $570,000 salary, and he is set to be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2020.
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