Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez taken by police in handcuffs

Aaron Hernandez was taken into custody by police Wednesday morning, more than a week after a man thought to be his friend was found dead a mile from the New England Patriots tight end’s home.

Hernandez, with his arms inside his white V-neck T-shirt and behind his back, was put in handcuffs at his North Attleborough, Mass., residence about 9 a.m. EDT. He was put in the back of a police cruiser after casually spitting in some bushes along the way.

It’s unclear why the action was being taken at this time, although Hernandez has appeared to be a key figure in the investigation into the death of Boston semipro football player Odin Lloyd since his body was found in an industrial park June 17.

The death has been ruled a homicide.

Hernandez’s home and the area surrounding it have been searched several times by the police. Reporters have been camped out at the sprawling estate near the Rhode Island state line. Boston defense attorney James Sultan paid the player a visit Tuesday.

Hernandez’s attorney, Michael Fee, and the Bristol County district attorney’s office have not returned messages to the Associated Press.

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