Police claim Adrian Peterson pushed off-duty officer

Adrian Peterson runs drills on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 (Credit: AP Photo/Star Tribune, Renee Jones Schneider)

The Houston Police Department says Vikings running back Adrian Peterson pushed an off-duty officer before he was arrested for resisting arrest at a downtown bar early this morning.

Department spokesman Kese Smith told the Houston Chronicle that Peterson got into an argument with the officer, who was working an extra job at the bar.

“The officer informed Peterson and the group that the bar was closed and asked them to walk toward the nearest exit,” Smith said.

The officer moved on to inform other patrons of the club’s closing and then returned to Peterson’s group, which was still talking at the bar.

When the officer repeated his request, “That’s when Peterson told the officer that the group had heard him the first time and pushed the officer in the shoulder, causing him to stumble.”

The officer responded by telling Peterson he was under arrest and asking him to turn around and place his hands behind his back, Smith said. Peterson began yelling at the officer.

“As the officer attempted to place Peterson in handcuffs, Peterson pulled away from the officer and assumed an aggressive stance.”

Peterson struggled with both, drawing a third officer into the mix.

Once handcuffed, Peterson was taken to the city jail, where he complained of shortness of breath, Smith said. Houston Fire Department medical personnel who examined Peterson said he was fine.

He was released from the city jail hours later on $1,000 bond and was issued to appear in court on July 13.

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