Former UM football star Jonathan Vilma arrested in Miami

New Orleans Saints linebacker and former University of Miami standout Jonathan Vilma was arrested Friday in Miami and charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest.

Vilma, 26, was arrested about 3:30 p.m. after a Miami police officer watched him weave in and out of traffic in a dark gray Range Rover and nearly hit two pedestrians, according to an arrest report.

Here's what happened, according to the report:

Vilma was spotted darting in and out of traffic while heading north on Northwest 27th Avenue near Ninth Street. After tailgating a Honda, he cut off the driver of a Chevrolet truck, nearly causing an accident.

Vilma then sped up and ran a red light while making a right turn at the intersection of 14th Street, where he almost struck two pedestrians crossing on the west side of 27th Avenue.

At that point, the officer watching Vilma hit his emergency lights and pulled over the Range Rover at Northwest 29th Avenue and 14th Street.
The officer couldn't see Vilma because of the Range Rover's tinted windows, so he ordered Vilma out of the car. Vilma allegedly replied, ``You have to give me a reason. I ain't going anywhere until I know what's going on.''

Vilma then refused to place his hands on the car and the report says he ``became belligerent and took a step toward [the officer] who had his firearm drawn.''

The officer grabbed Vilma's right arm and tried to cuff him as he thrashed about and struggled.

He was arrested and booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail.

Vilma, who graduated from Coral Gables Senior High and lives in Miami's Brickell neighborhood, did not answer a call to his cell phone and did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.

A New Orleans Saints representative could not be immediately reached for comment.

(miamiherald.com)