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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested in Burbank again on suspicion of drug possession
Comedian Paul Rodriguez faces fresh allegations of narcotics possession after being arrested on similar charges less than five months ago in the same city. Burbank police arrested the 70-year-old 'Blood Work' and 'Rat Race' actor around 8:30 p.m. Monday at a parking structure in the city's downtown area, police Sgt. Stephen Turner confirmed to The Times on Thursday. Rodriguez was booked later at Burbank City Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor narcotics possession. He was released early Tuesday morning with a citation and is due in court Sept. 5. A legal representative for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Thursday. Police showed up at the parking structure for a welfare check after a witness voiced concern about a man and woman leaving a restaurant in the area. According to Turner, the witness told police the woman and the man, later identified as Rodriguez, were 'under the influence and not alert.' Officers located people who matched the witness' description in a vehicle in the structure. Rodriguez was in the driver's seat and a woman was in the front passenger seat. 'The investigation led to the discovery of alprazolam [Xanax] and heroin inside of the female's personal bag,' Turner said, adding that the woman was arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Officers also allegedly found Xanax and 'suspected fentanyl' in Rodriguez's vehicle. The actor said the drugs weren't his, Turner said. The details of Rodriguez's arrest Monday echo those from his previous arrest in Burbank in March. The 'A Million Little Things' actor was arrested after police allegedly found narcotics in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Rodriguez disputed law enforcement's recounting of the incident, telling TMZ in March that he was sleeping in the passenger seat when a 'Caucasian' officer on a 'power trip' slapped him to wake him up. Rodriguez told the outlet that the drugs belonged to the person who was driving. At the time, Rodriguez's attorney Bobby Samini called the charges against his client false and said the comic's arrest and treatment by police were a 'violation of his civil rights.' 'He fully cooperated with law enforcement at all times,' Samini said in March. 'Law enforcement asserted that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Rodriguez did not have any controlled substance in his possession, nor was he under the influence of any controlled substance.' Rodriguez, who was born in Mexico and raised in East Los Angeles, began his career at L.A. comedy clubs in the late 1970s and has written and starred in numerous comedy specials. His résumé also includes hosting gigs for Univision and MTV programs and roles in films 'Made in America,' 'Tortilla Soup' and 'The World's Fastest Indian.' Times senior Sacramento reporter Taryn Luna contributed to this article.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested in Burbank for drug possession
The Brief Comedian Paul Rodriguez was arrested in Burbank for drug possession. He denies the charges and claims police misconduct during the arrest. Rodriguez, known for his bilingual stand-up comedy and roles in over 40 films, is scheduled to appear in court on April 25. LOS ANGELES - Comedian Paul Rodriguez is facing legal challenges following his arrest for drug possession in Burbank, a charge he denies. The incident has sparked controversy, with Rodriguez alleging police misconduct during the arrest. What we know Paul Rodriguez was arrested in Burbank for drug possession after a vehicle he was in was stopped for a code violation. Rodriguez was arrested Friday around 7:30 p.m., according to police. Narcotics were discovered during a search, officials said. Rodriguez was released with a citation to appear in court on April 25, while his friend remained in custody due to outstanding warrants. What we don't know It is unclear whether Rodriguez will face formal charges, as a city attorney is yet to make a decision. Additionally, the identity of Rodriguez's friend, who was driving the vehicle, has not been disclosed. The backstory Rodriguez, a comedian with a career spanning over 30 years, is known for his bilingual stand-up routines and appearances in more than 40 films, including "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" and "Blood Work." Raised in Los Angeles, Rodriguez is also recognized for his charitable work, particularly his involvement in annual free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at Hollywood's Laugh Factory. What they're saying Following his release, Rodriguez told TMZ he was sleeping in the passenger seat and was slapped awake by a "Caucasian" officer on a "power trip." He is considering filing a formal complaint, alleging he was "roughed up" by police and that the drugs belonged to his female friend. What's next Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court on April 25. The Source Information for this story is from TMZ and the Burbank Police Department. City News Service contributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested, accused of narcotics possession in Burbank
Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez was arrested after police allegedly found narcotics in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Friday night in Burbank. Burbank Police Sgt. Stephen Turner said Rodriguez, 70, was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for "code violations" at around 7:30 p.m. in the area of Victory Boulevard and Lamer Street. "During the investigation, narcotics were located," Turner said in a statement. Rodriguez was booked at the Burbank jail for possession of narcotics and released with a citation to appear in court next month, Turner said. Read more: 'Ugly Betty' alum Eric Mabius arrested on suspicion of battery in Florida bar brawl Rodriguez is telling a different version of the story. He told TMZ that he was sleeping in the passenger seat when a "Caucasian" officer on a "power trip" slapped him to wake him up. Rodriguez told the outlet that the drugs belonged to the driver of the vehicle. Bobby Samini, his attorney, called the charges against Rodriguez false, and said his arrest and treatment by police were a "violation of his civil rights." "He fully cooperated with law enforcement at all times," Samini said in a statement. "Law enforcement asserted that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Rodriguez did not have any controlled substance in his possession, nor was he under the influence of any controlled substance." Rodriguez, the son of a migrant farm worker, was born in Mexico before moving to East Los Angeles in his youth. His career in stand-up began in L.A. comedy clubs in the late 1970s. Rodriguez's work includes writing and acting in dozens of films, including his own stand-up comedy specials. He also hosted television shows on Univision and MTV. He is known for his roles in such movies as "Blood Work," "Rat Race," "The World's Fastest Indian" and "Tortilla Soup." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested, accused of narcotics possession in Burbank
Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez was arrested after police allegedly found narcotics in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Friday night in Burbank. Burbank Police Sgt. Stephen Turner said Rodriguez, 70, was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for 'code violations' at around 7:30 p.m. in the area of Victory Boulevard and Lamer Street. 'During the investigation, narcotics were located,' Turner said in a statement. Rodriguez was booked at the Burbank jail for possession of narcotics and released with a citation to appear in court next month, Turner said. Rodriguez is telling a different version of the story. He told TMZ that he was sleeping in the passenger seat when a 'Caucasian' officer on a 'power trip' slapped him to wake him up. Rodriguez told the outlet that the drugs belonged to the driver of the vehicle. Bobby Samini, his attorney, called the charges against Rodriguez false, and said his arrest and treatment by police were a 'violation of his civil rights.' 'He fully cooperated with law enforcement at all times,' Samini said in a statement. 'Law enforcement asserted that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Rodriguez did not have any controlled substance in his possession, nor was he under the influence of any controlled substance.' Rodriguez, the son of a migrant farm worker, was born in Mexico before moving to East Los Angeles in his youth. His career in stand-up began in L.A. comedy clubs in the late 1970s. Rodriguez's work includes writing and acting in dozens of films, including his own stand-up comedy specials. He also hosted television shows on Univision and MTV. He is known for his roles in such movies as 'Blood Work,' 'Rat Race,' 'The World's Fastest Indian' and 'Tortilla Soup.'
Fox News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested for drug possession
Paul Rodriguez was arrested on charges of possession of narcotics, Fox News Digital confirmed. The legendary stand-up comedian was arrested Friday, March 28, in Burbank, California, following a traffic stop, according to the Burbank Police Department. Rodriguez was a passenger in the vehicle. Rodriguez's lawyer denied the allegations against the "Born in East L.A." star and claimed they "lack foundation" in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "On March 28, 2025, at about 7:30 pm, Burbank Police Officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for vehicle code violations Mr. Rodriguez was a passenger in," officials told Fox News Digital. "During the investigation, narcotics were located. Mr. Rodriguez was arrested and booked at the Burbank Police Jail for possession of narcotics." Rodriguez was released with a citation to appear in court on April 25, 2025. "During the investigation, narcotics were located. Mr. Rodriguez was arrested and booked at the Burbank Police Jail for possession of narcotics." "The charges against Paul Rodriguez are false and lack foundation," his lawyer, Bobby Samini, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Mr. Rodriguez was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by the Burbank Police Department last night. He fully cooperated with law enforcement at all times. "The charges against Paul Rodriguez are false and lack foundation." "Law enforcement asserted that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Rodriguez did not have any controlled substance in his possession, nor was he under the influence of any controlled substance. Samini added, "Mr. Rodriguez's arrest and treatment constituted a violation of his civil rights. We look forward to establishing Mr. Rodriguez's innocence in a court of law." Rodriguez is known just as much for his stand-up comedy as he is for dozens of roles on television and in films. Raised in Los Angeles, Rodriguez starred in "Tortilla Soup," "Blood Work," and voiced the role of Chico in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."
