Vikings RB Adrian Peterson arrested in Houston

  

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was arrested in Houston early Saturday after allegedly pushing an off-duty police officer.

Peterson -- a 27-year-old Palestine, Texas native -- was charged with resisting arrest, search or transportation. He spent the night in jail and was released after posting $1,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear before a judge in Harris County on Friday, July 13.

According to the Houston Police Department, Peterson was arrested just after 2am at Live! at Bayou Place on Texas Avenue near the Bayou Music Center, formerly known as Verizon Wireless Theatre.

Police said he was at a bar with a group of people when an off-duty HPD officer working security told them to leave because the bar was closing.

Officials said the group did not leave and the officer had to return and tell them to leave a second time. That's when, according to officials, Peterson said "we heard you the first time" and pushed the officer in the shoulder, causing him to stumble.

Investigators said the officer then told Peterson he was under arrest and asked him to turn around, but Peterson began yelling and turned around to face the officer instead.

It took three off-duty officers to handcuff Peterson as he allegedly continued to resist.

Peterson complained of shortness of breath when he arrived at the jail. A medic examined him and said he was fine, officials said.

The Texas Penal Code defines resisting arrest, search or transportation in Section 38.03, stating that "a person commits an offense if he intentionally prevents or obstructs a person he knows is a peace officer or a person acting in a peace officer's presence and at his direction from effecting an arrest, search, or transportation of the actor or another by using force against the peace officer or another." The offense is a Class A misdemeanor.

Like a lot of professional athletes, Peterson does some of his off-season training in Houston. He's been spotted working out at Kinkaid High School in the past.

This off-season, Peterson has been vigorously rehabilitating his left knee. He blew both his ACL and MCL in his left knee against the Redskins last Christmas Eve. He planned to be back for the Vikings season opener in September.

Peterson is a two time All-Pro and one of the more likeable players in the NFL, which makes his arrest and the alleged circumstances even more surprising.

A spokesman for the Minnesota Vikings told the Associated Press they "are aware of the situation and are gathering more information."

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for more information as it becomes available.

If you witnessed or have photos or video of Peterson's arrest, email News@abc13.com.

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