Jonathan Taylor Thomas Arrested on Suspicion of Public Intoxication
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, the former child star best known for playing Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, was arrested early Monday in Westlake Village, California, on suspicion of obstruction and public intoxication.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed the arrest of the 45-year-old actor, whose legal name is Jonathan Taylor Weiss. Authorities said Thomas was a passenger in a car that deputies pulled over for a DUI investigation.
What Happened During the Traffic Stop
According to the sheriff's department, deputies spotted a vehicle stopped at an intersection with a green light, blocking traffic. They pulled up next to the car to see whether the driver needed help.
"Deputies noticed the driver was acting odd and appeared to be intoxicated," the sheriff's department told NBC News.
Deputies then conducted a traffic stop and began a DUI investigation. The Malibu/Lost Hills station told KTLA that the stop took place at around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 21.
Thomas, who was riding in the passenger seat, also appeared to be intoxicated, according to authorities.
Deputies Say Thomas Refused to Stay in the Car
At some point during the investigation, Thomas allegedly got out of the vehicle. TMZ reported that he exited the car despite deputies telling him to remain inside. Deputies told him to sit back down, but authorities said he did not comply.
"He was uncooperative with them, failed to follow orders," law enforcement told People, adding that he obstructed the investigation.
According to the sheriff's department, when deputies attempted to detain Thomas for obstruction and public intoxication, he allegedly kicked a deputy in the stomach.
Thomas was then arrested and taken to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station for booking. The driver of the vehicle was also arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver's identity has not been released.
Released From Custody
Jail records show Thomas was booked at 1:50 a.m. Monday and released at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 22, roughly 34 hours later, according to KTLA.
The sheriff's department said the case will be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. It is not yet known whether prosecutors will file any charges.
Representatives for Thomas did not immediately respond to requests for comment. He has not been charged with a crime, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
A Rare Public Moment for the Former Child Star
Thomas rose to fame playing Randy, the middle son of Tim Allen's character, Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, which ran from 1991 to 1999. He became one of the biggest child stars of the 1990s before largely stepping away from Hollywood.
In the years since, Thomas has kept a low profile and rarely makes public appearances.
That made a July reunion photo all the more surprising for fans. Patricia Richardson, who played Jill Taylor on the series, shared a picture of herself with her former on-screen sons, Thomas and Taran Noah Smith, more than 25 years after the sitcom ended.
The photo sparked a wave of nostalgia among longtime viewers, many of whom grew up watching the Taylor family's weekly misadventures. For eight seasons, Thomas and Smith played brothers Randy and Mark, while Zachery Ty Bryan portrayed oldest son Brad.
Now, just two months after that reunion, Thomas finds himself back in the headlines for very different reasons.
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