Video footage has emerged of Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. getting arrested Saturday after being pursued by police.
A warrant was issued for Pearce’s arrest in Miami-Dade County on domestic violence charges. According to WPGL Local 10 News, the Falcons rookie was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated stalking.
Per the report, Pearce made things worse by refusing to cooperate with the authorities. He was later charged with fleeing and eluding police, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence to his person.
A bystander captured Pearce’s arrest on video, showing several officers being needed to hold down the 6’5″ pass rusher. Pearce reportedly tried to evade police in his Lamborghini Urus but ended up crashing his vehicle.
Pearce was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional just before 7 p.m.
The Falcons later issued a statement on the matter.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons’ statement read. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
The Falcons selected Pearce 25th overall in last year’s draft. The Tennessee product finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 10.5 sacks in his first NFL season.
