In the early hours of Monday, Los Angeles police detained actor Kiefer Sutherland after an altercation with a rideshare driver. The incident took place at approximately midnight near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, a bustling intersection in Los Angeles.
"I can also look back on my life and tell you very squarely that the only bad things that have ever happened to me in my life have been because I like to go to bars and have drinks with my friends." - Kiefer Sutherland, in a 2016 interview with People magazine.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a radio call and subsequently arrested the 59-year-old actor on suspicion of criminal threats, a felony charge that involves threatening serious bodily harm or death with the intention to instill fear. While details of the threats have yet to be released by the authorities, the LAPD's Hollywood division officers transported Sutherland to their station for processing.
Sutherland, known for his roles in television and film, notably the series '24,' was booked at 4:23 a.m. on Monday. The rideshare driver did not sustain injuries requiring medical attention at the scene, as per police reports, and their identity has not been disclosed.
Authorities confirmed that Sutherland posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody at 11:30 a.m. the same day. The LA Sheriff’s Department's records corroborate this information. Detectives from the Hollywood Division are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the altercation.
This incident is set against a backdrop of previous encounters Sutherland has had with law enforcement. In 2007, he entered a no-contest plea for a driving under the influence charge after failing a sobriety test, resulting in a 48-day jail sentence, reflective of California's stringent laws for repeat offenders.
Sutherland's history also includes a 2009 arrest for an alleged assault at a fundraiser in New York City, where he was accused of head-butting fashion designer Jack McCollough. The charges were dropped following a joint statement from Sutherland and McCollough, which included a public apology from the actor.
In a candid 2016 interview with People magazine, Sutherland discussed his relationship with alcohol, acknowledging its role in the negative events of his life and admitting to moments of losing control.
The legal process is set to continue with Sutherland's court appearance scheduled for February 2, where more details and outcomes pertaining to the current charges are expected to emerge.
