Former NBA guard Ty Lawson is facing a shoplifting charge after authorities in Colorado accused him of stealing a bottle of vodka from a liquor store before his arrest earlier this month.
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According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The California Post, Lawson was arrested July 16 after employees at a Castle Rock liquor store alleged he took a $34 bottle of Tito's vodka without paying and walked to a nearby restaurant.
Police said officers later located Lawson, who allegedly smelled of alcohol when they made contact with him.
Court documents state Lawson became verbally combative during the booking process, repeatedly directing profanity and racial insults at an officer, kicking the glass wall of his holding cell and spitting on the floor.
The affidavit also states Lawson later calmed down and apologized for his behavior.
Lawson was booked on a misdemeanor shoplifting charge involving property valued at less than $300 before being released.
The 38-year-old played eight NBA seasons after starring at North Carolina. He spent the majority of his career with the Denver Nuggets, earning a reputation as one of the league's quickest point guards, and also had stops with the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings, as well as overseas.
Lawson has not publicly commented on the allegations.
