Arrests

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey has just been fired from the team for allegedly attacking his girlfriend this morning in Florida, TMZ has learned.

Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert tells us, "Chris Rainey’s actions this morning were extremely disappointing. Under the circumstances and due to this conduct, Chris will no longer be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

As we reported. Chris allegedly flew off the handle this morning in Gainesville when his girlfriend swiped his phone -- and slapped her in the face.

Chris has been charged with battery stemming from the incident. He's currently still in custody.

He's not some no-name bench warmer either -- Rainey scored two touchdowns this season for the Black and Gold.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey was arrested this morning in Florida -- after allegedly slapping his GF in the face during an argument over a cell phone.

According to the Gainesville Police, officers responded to a 911 call from witnesses who claimed they saw Rainey attack his girlfriend after she took his cell phone ... and tried to lock herself in Rainey's roommate's car.

According to the police report, witnesses said Rainey dragged his girlfriend out of the passenger seat and slapped her in the face in the process, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

Witnesses said Rainey's GF then took off again with the cell phone in her purse ... and Rainey continued the chase, eventually grabbing her purse ... causing them both to fall again.

Police say neither Rainey nor his GF appeared visibly injured after the fight.

Katt Williams was just arrested in L.A., TMZ has learned -- after blowing off a court date in Sacramento.

As we previously reported, a Sacramento judge issued a bench warrant for Katt's arrest yesterday when the comedian failed to show up for his arraignment, stemming from his wild 3-wheeled police chase back in November. He's been charged with evading a police officer while driving recklessly, a felony.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the LAPD was aware Katt was a wanted man and when detectives spotted him outside his Los Angeles home, they placed him under arrest.

We're told Katt was fully cooperative with police.

He's currently being held on $100,500 bail.

6:14 AM PT -- Katt was released from custody late last night -- and on his way out of jail, he explained the situation to TMZ.

According to Katt, he was only arrested because he couldn't be in two courtrooms at once ... and chose the case that was more important to him -- the case involving the custody of his children.

But when asked if the judge awarded him custody of his children, Katt explained, "No, I actually don't [have custody] ... the lady who tried to take 'em and lost in court twice, they gave 'em to her."

The 24-year-old man who threatened to commit Sandy Hook type crimes in L.A. claimed he was hell-bent on leaving "dead kindergartners" in his wake ... yet he will not be prosecuted.

Kyle Bangayan posted threats on Facebook the same day as the Newtown shooting ... and claimed he was targeting L.A. schools ... this according to a search warrant obtained by TMZ.

Kyle allegedly wrote, "No really America, if you post one more Facebook post about the shooting at that elementary school, I swear to whatever f**king god you believe in that I will do the same goddamn thing."

The rant continues, "I have the guns, I have the incentive, and I won't commit suicide at the end, I'll just go to the next f**king school and the next and the next ..."

And he goes on ... "So I woke up this morning and said to myself ... Dang you know [what] would be really awesome right now ... some dead kindergarteners ... and Christmas early."

Kyle was arrested in L.A. after a tipster told the LAPD about the online threats -- and when cops searched his bedroom (at his parents house) they found six semi-auto handguns, two rifles and one shotgun.

Now for the kicker. Kyle was released and the L.A. County D.A. said no charges would be filed, because the threats were not specific.

It took 5 fully-grown police officers to wrestle "Dharma & Greg" star Thomas Gibson to the ground during his DUI bust in L.A. this weekend ... and TMZ has the crazy arrest video.

We broke the story ... cops believe an intoxicated Gibson tried to drive his Audi SUV through a part of downtown L.A. that had been sectioned off for a nighttime half-marathon around 1 AM on Sunday morning.

The footage begins with Gibson standing next to his car speaking with police ... when a bike cop arrives to the scene and screams for the actor to, "Get on the ground, NOW!"

At that point, all of the officers on scene rush toward Gibson and manhandle him to the ground as he yells, "Why?! Why!?"

While Gibson is on the ground, he can be heard telling the cops, "I am NOT resisting ... I am NOT resisting!"

After Gibson is successfully placed in cuffs, the cops help him up and escort him away from his vehicle.

It must be Groundhog Day ... because Katt Williams is officially a wanted man ... again.

A Sacramento judge issued the bench warrant today after the comedian failed to show up for his arraignment, stemming from his crazy three-wheeled police chase back in November.

The D.A.'s office has charged Katt with evading a police officer while driving in a reckless manner, a felony.

As we previously reported, Katt's accused of leading police on a wild chase through the streets of Sacramento ... while riding a three-wheeled motorcycle.

Moments after the chase, Katt stopped by a Target where he slapped an employee in the face.

Laurence Fishburne has just obtained a restraining order against a man who showed up on his doorstep on New Year's Day and demanded that the actor move out of his house.

Anthony Francis allegedly told Fishburne he owned the house and the Fishburnes were there illegally. Laurence may have reason to worry. According to the legal docs, cops told Fishburne Francis was released from prison on XMAS day after serving time for cyber-stalking and making criminal threats.

LAPD cops told Fishburne they got a call 2 weeks back from Francis, claiming he owned the actor's pad.

According to docs, Francis left a letter at Fishburne's home last week, which said in part, "You are to leave this house immediately. This means all tenants are to evacuate ASAP."

"Hangover" director Todd Phillips is on red alert -- TMZ has learned -- after a woman was arrested outside his L.A. home last week on suspicion of stalking.

Law enforcement tells TMZ, 22-year-old Juliana Shiao drove onto Todd's property Thursday night around 8pm -- and someone inside his home called police.

We're told the woman was arrested on the scene and is currently being held on $150,000 bail.

The L.A. County D.A. has already charged her with felony stalking -- and according to court docs, she's being accused of following, harassing, and threatening the director.

According to law enforcement, it's not the first time Shiao's tried to make contact with Todd either.

Discovery Channel's "The Devils Ride" -- a reality show about a San Diego biker gang -- has some real deal bad dudes... because TMZ has learned, one of the stars just got arrested for stabbing a guy while burglarizing his house.

According to docs, Sandman -- real name Robert Johnston -- was arrested on December 27 for burglary, attempted murder (with a knife), assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

In charging documents, prosecutors say Sandman broke into the victim's house on Dec. 22 with the intent to commit burglary, and at some point, stabbed the victim ... inflicting "great bodily injury."

Sandman is still behind bars, being held on $755,000 bail.

By the way, "Devils Ride" isn't currently airing, but rumor is it's coming back for a 2nd season.

Fact: playing dumb about a gun in your carry-on ain't much of an excuse -- something "Dallas" star Jack Scalia learned the hard way ... 'cause he's been slapped with 2 weapons charges, TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Scalia was busted at LAX in October when TSA agents found an unloaded 9mm Glock and a novelty police badge in his bag. He claimed the badge was a gift from Rudy Giuliani. As for the gun, Scalia said he had no clue how it got in there.

But the L.A. City Attorney didn't buy it and charged Scalia with two misdemeanor counts -- one for carrying a concealed firearm and another for taking a prohibited weapon through the sterile area at the airport.

If convicted, Scalia could face up to one and a half years in jail and $2,000 in fines.

Josh Brolin rang in 2013 pretty hard ... getting popped for public intoxication on New Year's Day ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Brolin was arrested just before midnight on January 1 in Santa Monica. Brolin was booked into jail at 3:02 AM and then released at 7:14 AM.

Brolin was not given a citation for the arrest -- meaning he will not have to go to court over the incident and it is completely over.

Sources close to Brolin tell TMZ he was hanging out with a bunch of his guy friends that night and ended up having "too much fun."

World Series hero Sergio Romo was handcuffed New Year's Day at the Las Vegas airport ... TMZ has learned -- after allegedly becoming belligerent with a TSA officer.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the San Francisco Giants pitcher was detained by cops because he couldn't provide the proper ID to clear security.

We're told Romo then got into it with a TSA agent -- becoming "angry and aggressive." Cops then swooped in and cuffed him.

Romo was taken to the police station at the airport , where he was cited for violating airport rules and then released. Romo was not allowed to fly following the incident, and was subsequently escorted off airport grounds.

According to law enforcement sources, Romo appeared to be under the influence.

Bronson Pelletier can't deny it anymore -- the 'Twilight' actor definitely took a leak right in the middle of LAX last month ... and there's video to prove it.

In the video, an airport employee approaches Pelletier ... and then he stumbles around, whips out his penis and starts peeing ... for a very LOOONG TIME!

Interestingly, the airport employee stands by patiently waiting for Pelletier to finish ... until police show up to arrest him.

TMZ broke the story ... Pelletier was busted for public intoxication at LAX after getting thrown off a flight for being too drunk.

Witnesses said Pelletier urinated at the gate moments after he was removed from the plane, but the actor had insisted he did no such thing.

Former NBA star Latrell Sprewell spent his New Year's behind bars -- after cops arrested him Monday night for blasting ridiculously loud music at his house.

According to law enforcement, Latrell was arrested for disorderly conduct following multiple complaints from neighbors about the volume of music coming from his Milwaukee home.

Police wouldn't release details about Sprewell's arrest, but said they had received two noise complaints within one hour -- and several others in the months preceding Monday's incident.

42-year-old Sprewell was booked into jail at 9:16 PM, but wasn't released until after midnight.

Lil Flip is vowing to fight his recent drug and gun arrest because he claims he can prove the assault rifle found in his car is 100% legal ... TMZ has learned.

The rapper was busted Christmas night in Louisiana when a cop pulled him over for speeding ... and then allegedly found ganja and an AR-15 rifle in the car. Flip was booked for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm in the presence of drugs.

Flip tells TMZ he has a valid license to carry the gun -- which he claims is not automatic firing -- and says he needs to carry it because he's an entertainer who's been shot before.

Flip -- real name Wesley Eric Weston-- gave TMZ a photo of his Texas concealed handgun license ... which he says is also valid in 22 other states, including Louisiana.

As for the weed ... Flip claims they were "Black and Mild" wine flavored cigars and clove cigarettes, and says he is "not one of those rappers who would carry drugs on me. I know better."

As Katt Williams left jail last night after being locked up for gun-related child endangerment, he groused to us, "How do you keep kids safe without guns?"

TMZ broke the story ... Katt was arrested and his 4 kids were taken away after his house was raided by cops, who found numerous guns and illegal drugs.

Williams told us the guns were secured in a locked box, adding, "If the police come in and raid my place and break into my gun boxes, you're gonna find guns! I'm not in a gang, what difference does it make?"

Katt also told our photog there were no drugs at his house -- well ... he admits there was weed, but says, "Weed is not a drug."

So we gotta ask ...