NBA free agent Matt Barnes was released from the Manhattan Beach jail at 11:20 p.m. on Monday after being arrested for an outstanding traffic warrant and allegedly threatening a police officer, Manhattan Beach Lt. Steve Tobias said on Tuesday.
At around 8:30 p.m., a police officer approached the former Laker outside of Shellback Tavern in downtown Manhattan Beach, as he knew Barnes had an outstanding $26,000 traffic warrant for driving under a suspended license, Tobias said. Upon contact, Barnes walked away.
When additional officers responded, Barnes continued to be uncooperative, Tobias said, and allegedly made threats toward the police. Barnes was taken into custody and booked at the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Barnes was released about three hours after the incident after posting $51,000 bail. Barnes took to Twitter to vent about the incident. “Oh.. For all you perfect people out there looking at me w/your nose in the air, who have “NEVER” missed a courtdate for a “TRAFFIC VIOLATION” God Bless You…” he tweeted.
Barnes is due to appear in court on Oct. 1.
