Former Houston Rockets star James Harden was arrested in downtown Houston in the early hours of Saturday morning before being released from custody a short time later. The brief detention of one of the city's most recognisable sports figures stemmed from a misdemeanour weapons allegation, and Harden was back out of jail the same morning after posting bond.
According to authorities, police pulled Harden over just before 4 o'clock in the morning in the downtown area, near the intersection of Jeffersonville and Fannin Street, close to a Chevron gas station. What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into something more serious once officers approached the vehicle and looked inside.
During the stop, officers said they saw a handgun sitting inside the cup holder of Harden's car. The presence of the weapon, in plain view within the vehicle, prompted them to take action and ultimately led to his arrest at the scene rather than a simple traffic citation.
Harden was booked into the Harris County jail on a misdemeanour gun charge connected to the firearm found in the car. The charge places the case in the lower tier of criminal offences, but it still required him to be processed through the county's jail system following the early morning stop.
He did not remain in custody for long. A few hours after being booked, Harden was released after posting a 100 dollar bond, allowing him to leave the jail the same morning while the case continues to move through the courts. The speed of his release reflected the relatively minor classification of the charge he is facing.
Harden is now expected to appear before a judge on June 22, when the next stage of the case will be addressed. The arrest marks an unwelcome turn for the guard, who built much of his reputation in Houston during his years as a star with the Rockets and remains closely identified with the city.