13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |T-wolves center spends night in jail

T-wolves center spends night in jail

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News CrimeBeat

Indianapolis, November 25, 2004 -  Indianapolis Police arrested Minnesota Timberwolves Michael Olowokandi early Thanksgiving morning at a downtown bar.
   
Olowokandi spent the night at the Adult Processing Center after IPD Sergeant Dean Fischer used a taser to subdue him.
  
Bar managers at Tiki Bob's Bar on South Meridian Street called police just after 2 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.  They told officers Olowokandi refused to leave at closing.
  
When officers arrived, Olowokandi still refused and that's what lead to his taser takedown.

Officers brought Olowokandi to the APC and jailers booked him in around 3 a.m.

The Timberwolves security team picked up their center around 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.  

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi called arrest unfortunate, but the law is the law.

"He is going to be treated like anyone who comes into this city and doesn't obey the police," Brizzi said.

Brizzi plans to charge Olowokandi with disorderly conduct, a B misdeameanor carrying a maximum $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail.
   
Timberwolves officials wouldn't talk about the incident on camera before Thursday night's game, but they suspended Olowokandi for the game, and issued this statement: 

"The Minnesota Timberwolves do not condone this type of behavior or any actions that negatively impact our franchise.  The heightened sensitivity to these types of issues in the league today make his actions even more disappointing."

He also faces a trespass charge an A misdemeanor carrying a maximus $5000 fine with 365 days in jail. Olowokandi is scheduled to appear in court on December 13th.