Ty Lawson arrest details: What to know about shoplifting incident involving former NBA star

Former NBA guard Ty Lawson was arrested for shoplifting on July 16 in Colorado, TMZ reported Thursday.

Lawson, 38, was reportedly arrested for stealing a bottle of vodka from a liquor store in Castle Rock, taking it with him to a restaurant.

The former No. 18 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft last played in the league in 2018 before spending time playing overseas.

Here's what's known about Lawson's arrest.

Ty Lawson arrest details

TMZ reported Thursday that Lawson was arrested on July 16 in Castle Rock, Colorado for shoplifting.

Legal documents showed that Lawson, who spent most of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets, allegedly stole a $34 bottle of vodka from a liquor store, then brought it with him to a "nearby restaurant." Per TMZ, officers "believed Lawson was intoxicated and said he smelled of alcohol when they confronted him about allegedly stealing the liquor."

The former NBA guard reportedly engaged in an altercation with officers afterward, calling one a "b—" and "white b—" while kicking the glass wall of his holding cell and spitting on the floor, according to TMZ. However, Lawson eventually "pulled himself together" and apologized.

Lawson was booked on a shoplifting charge of "theft-of-less-than-$300," per TMZ.

Ty Lawson legal history

Lawson has had a few legal troubles in the past.

In 2008, when he was 20 years old and playing at North Carolina, Lawson pleaded guilty to underage drinking and driving. He did not receive a DWI because he had a BAC below the legal limit during a traffic stop in Chapel Hill. Lawson's additional charges of violating a noise ordinance and driving with a suspended license were dropped, and he was required to complete 20 hours of community service.

In 2012, Lawson was cited for careless driving, driving with a restricted license and permitting an unauthorized person to drive his car in Arapahoe County, Colorado. He was later arrested for avoiding prosecution for those offenses; Lawson pleaded guilty to allowing an unauthorized person to drive, with the other charges dropped.

Lawson and his girlfriend, Ashley Pettiford, were arrested in August 2013 after police responded to a domestic violence call. The then-NBA player was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence-related harassment and property damage, both misdemeanors. Lawson and Pettiford were released on $1,000 bond, and his charges were later dropped.

Lawson faced two driving-related legal troubles in 2015. He was arrested in January by Denver police for driving twice the speed limit while under the influence of alcohol, and he told police he had a prior DUI incident in Missouri. For the Denver instance, Lawson was released on $1,500 bond. Later in the year, he was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence. A judge ruled that Lawson was required to spend one month at a residential rehabilitation center before facing DUI charges.

In February 2022, Lawson was also arrested in Madrid after two reported altercations at an airport restaurant.