Minnesota Timberwolves guard Isaiah Rider was arrested in California on misdemeanor charges of driving with marijuana in his car and posessing an illegal cellular phone, a report published today said.
The Star Tribune reported in a copyright story that Rider was arrested in downtown Oakland at 6:45 p.m. PDT Thursday, after a California Highway Patrol officer stopped the Mercedes-Benz he was driving because it had illegally tinted front windows.It's the second time in two weeks that Rider has been jailed. The newspaper said his arrest may jeopardize a trade involving Rider that had been arranged with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Star Tribune reported that before Rider's arrest, the deal was expected to be announced Monday, when players can become free agents.
The trade, the newspaper said, would send Rider to Portland for backup shooting guard James Robinson, reserve forward Bill Curley and a No. 1 draft choice.
Two weeks ago, police detained Rider overnight for questioning in connection with an alleged sexual assault against a woman in an Oakland hotel. Charges were not filed because of inconsistencies in the woman's statement.
Rider's best friend, Donnie Ray Davis, who has convictions for rape and dealing crack cocaine, was also arrested at the scene Thursday on an outstanding traffic warrant, the newspaper said.
Sgt. Lee Timmons, shift commander of the downtown Oakland California Highway Patrol office, said the arresting officer found Rider in possession of marijuana and a cellular phone with the serial numbers missing. Cellular phones with missing serial numbers are commonly known as clone phones and, after being altered, allow calls to be made illegally for free.
Rider could face felony charges if a district attorney finds the value of the cellular phone over $400, Timmons told the Star Tribune.