Ex-Basketball Star Rodman Held in Drunk Driving Case

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of drunk driving after a restaurant and a mall security guard notified police.

The 6-foot, 9-inch rebounding ace, played for the Lakers, Bulls, Spurs and Pistons, was driving a Bentley when police stopped him about 6 p.m. as he was leaving the South Coast Plaza parking lot near Bristol Street and Paularino Avenue.

“He was very cooperative throughout the investigation,” said Sgt. Don Holford.

Rodman, 38, of Newport Beach had been dining at the Clubhouse Restaurant at the mall, Holford said. A mall security guard was notified by the restaurant’s management that the athlete had been drinking. The guard, who saw Rodman get into a car, called police.

“We responded and stopped him off the parking lot,” Holford said. “The officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.”

Rodman was taken to Costa Mesa City Jail, where he was expected to remain for several hours until he could post bail, set at $2,500. The results of a chemical test to determine the alcohol content of his blood were not immediately available, Holford said.