NBA star, Zach Randolph arrested in LA housing project, Cops charge him with ‘intent to sell’ for 2 Pounds of Pot
NBA star, 36, who just signed a $24m contract, is arrested with large quantity of marijuana in a Watts housing project
The arrest of NBA star forward Zach Randolph on a marijuana charge caused a crowd uprising and the destruction of five cop cars in Watts, Los Angeles, Wednesday
Randolph repotedly had enough marijuana to be charged with a felony with over two pounds in his possession
Randolph, a 16-year league veteran, spent 8 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies before signing with the Sacramento Kings in July in a two-year $24million deal
Police saw a crowd drinking, smoking pot, blasting music and blocking streets at the Nickerson Gardens project in Watts, Los Angeles
Irate crowd threw bottles and rocks at the cop cars, slashing their tires and smashing the windows but no one was hurt
Police recovered two guns, impounded two vehicles and seized narcotics
Randolph was released Thursday after posting $20,000 bail
Veteran NBA star forward Zach Randolph was arrested on a marijuana charge causing a massive crowd uprising and the destruction of five cop cars at the Watts housing project, in Los Angeles on Wednesday
The crowd blow back following the Randolph was arrest was so chaotic, the early responders had to call in police reinforcements.
Police sources said LAPD officers were called to the Nickerson Gardens area in L.A. around 10 PM — and when they arrived, cops found a large crowd of people smoking, playing loud music and blocking the roadway..
Randolph, who just signed a two-year $24million contract with the Sacramento Kings in July, was taken into custody late Wednesday on suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to sell, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Liliana Preciado.
Law enforcement sources said 3 people were seen grabbing their waistbands and running, so cops went after them.
In all, three people were detained, including Randolph, who was eventually arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, a felony.
The “intent to sell” part was tagged on due to the large amount of weed [about 2 lbs], found.
One of the other men detained is ex-con in possession of a gun, law enforcement sources say.
A smiling Randolph leaves the jail house after his release, Thursday morning
TMZ reported that Randolph had enough marijuana to be charged with a felony with over two pounds in his possession in a ‘large backpack’.
‘The charges are false and misleading,’ Randolph’s agent and attorney Raymond Brothers told The Associated Press on Thursday.
‘We’re looking at all options to resolve this matter.’
The veteran Randolph had just signed a two year contract with the Sacramento Kings for $24million
Another source said the LAPD officers were not called in , rather Police on patrol observed a crowd drinking, smoking pot, blasting music and blocking streets at the Nickerson Gardens project in Watts, the police source said.
Once Randolph, and another suspect, were detained, the crowd quickly turned chaotic. After the arrests, we’re told things got crazy, the crowd became restive and officers on the scene had to call for backup.
Six squad cars reportedly, were vandalized, with tires slashed and windows broken. Police had to form a battle line to restore order.
Police said they recovered 2 guns, drugs, a significant amount of cash and 2 vehicles were impounded, though it’s unclear if any of those things belonged to Randolph.

Bail for Randolph on the booking sheetl was set at $20,000.

The outnumbered officers called for backup when the restive crowd grew and people began throwing bottles and rocks.
Police on patrol observed a crowd drinking, smoking pot, blasting music and blocking streets at the Nickerson Gardens project in Watts, Los Angeles
Police sources say they charged Zach Randolph with ‘intent to sell’ because of the quantity of pot in his possession [2 lbs]
Five police cars and one sheriff’s vehicle ended up with smashed windows and slashed tires. No officers were hurt.
Officers also arrested Stanley Walton, 43, on suspicion of carrying a gun as an ex-convict, Preciado said. She didn’t know if Walton has an attorney.
Police recovered two guns, impounded two vehicles and seized narcotics, Preciado said.
The Marion, Indiana native was released on Thursday as bail was set at $20,000. His next court date is scheduled on August 31.
Police squad cars were vandalized by the irate crowd after they arrested Randolph for possession of pot
Randolph, a 16-year league veteran, spent 8 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies before signing with the Sacramento Kings in July. The two-year contract translated to a whopping $24million deal.
The two-time NBA All-Star played for Michigan State University before being drafted in 2001 by the Portland Trail Blazers. He has also played for the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Kings issued a statement Thursday saying the team was aware of the situation and would have no further comment at this time.
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