Welcome to Arrest Stories. A Cleveland Cavaliers NBA star was arrested in his old stomping grounds in the early morning hours, and what police found inside his vehicle set the entire situation in motion. Heres what may have happened.
In Houston, Texas, on Saturday, June thirteenth, twenty twenty-six, at approximately three forty-one in the morning, Houston police pulled over a vehicle on Crawford Street for a traffic violation. Behind the wheel was James Harden, thirty-six years old, currently a guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers. When officers approached the vehicle, they observed a handgun sitting in plain view inside the car, unsecured and not holstered. That single detail became the basis for the arrest.
Harden was charged with a misdemeanor count of unlawfully carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle. The complaint states that Harden, quote, unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly, end quote, had the weapon in the car. Under Texas law, while open carry of a handgun in a motor vehicle is permitted, the firearm must be holstered at all times. Hardens was not. Harden was booked at four fifty-seven in the morning, approximately seventy-six minutes after the initial stop.
Reports indicate Harden had been at a Houston hookah lounge with a large group before the traffic stop. No other individuals were charged in connection with the incident. Harden identified himself to officers and was taken into custody without any reported struggle.
Harden was booked into the Harris County Jail and released on a one hundred dollar unsecured bond the same day. An unsecured bond requires no money upfront, but the full amount becomes due if he fails to appear in court. His arraignment is scheduled for June twenty-second in Harris County court.
The bond conditions attached to Hardens release are notable. He is barred from possessing any firearms, ammunition, or other weapons while the case remains open. He is also prohibited from using or possessing alcohol, controlled substances, dangerous drugs, or marijuana unless prescribed by a doctor, and he is subject to random urinalysis.
The Cleveland Cavaliers responded Saturday afternoon with an official statement, saying, quote, The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment, end quote.
Harden holds a player option and is widely expected to explore a contract extension with the Cavaliers this offseason. He has no prior criminal record or arrest history. Representatives for Harden declined to comment.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.