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NFL free agent Brandon Pettigrew arrested in Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Jail

NFL free agent Brandon Pettigrew arrested in Pittsburgh

A former Detroit Lions football player was arrested Monday in Pittsburgh after police say he punched an officer in the chest three times.

Brandon Pettigrew, 33, a free-agent tight end, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, theft of services and public drunkenness, according to a criminal complaint.

Mr. Pettigrew, who lives in Flint, Texas, refused to pay a $97 limousine fare for a ride from 1500 Carson St. to the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh around 3 a.m., according to the complaint.

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The driver called police and said he’d run into the hotel lobby to distance himself from Mr. Pettigrew after he began to argue about paying the fare. The officers allowed the driver to leave after explaining he could recoup his fare through a magistrate once the officers filed a report.

After the driver left, officers then confronted Mr. Pettigrew, who they said was visibly intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.

Mr. Pettigrew refused to identify himself to officers, saying that he knew his constitutional rights. He was upset and kept getting close to the officers, according to the complaint. While “aggressively arguing” with police, Mr. Pettigrew then became "more upset" and moved toward the officers again.

Mr. Pettigrew punched Officer Patrick Fornadel three times in the chest, according to the complaint.

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The officers drew their Tasers and ordered Mr. Pettigrew to step back and put his hands behind his back. Mr. Pettigrew then allowed himself to be handcuffed, and the officers did not fire the Tasers.

The criminal complaint notes that the incident was recorded by the officers’ body-worn cameras, and the footage will be available for court.

After Mr. Pettigrew was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, he was placed into a restraint chair by several staff members because he refused to listen to orders, according to the complaint.

Allegheny County Jail Warden Orlando Harper said the "emergency restraint chair" is used to prevent self-injury, injury to others or serious property damage when "other techniques have been ineffective" in controlling the inmate.

"It restrains the inmates, in a seated position, with both arms and legs restrained as well," he said in a statement.

Mr. Pettigrew could not be immediately reached for comment. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 18.

The 20th overall pick in 2009 out of Oklahoma State, Mr. Pettigrew hasn’t played an NFL game since tearing his ACL halfway through the 2015 season. Over 93 games, all with the Lions from 2009-2015, he had 301 catches for 2,965 yards and 17 touchdowns. His best season came in 2011, when he had 83 receptions for 777 yards and five touchdowns.

Shelly Bradbury: sbradbury@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1999 or on Twitter @ShellyBradbury. Staff writer Sean Gentille contributed.

First Published: July 9, 2018, 12:47 p.m.

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Brandon Pettigrew mugshot  (Allegheny County Jail)
Brandon Pettigrew  (Paul Sancya/AP)
Allegheny County Jail
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