Former NFL player barricades self in Phoenix-area house after traffic stop
Jun 21, 2016, 10:12 AM | Updated: 3:32 pm
Davone Bess (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office mugshot)
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office mugshot)
PHOENIX — A former NFL player was arrested at his Phoenix-area home after a standoff with police that started as a traffic stop.
Police in the East Valley suburb of Gilbert said former receiver Davone Bess was taken into custody around 4:30 a.m. Monday. He was charged with unlawful flight, endangerment and failure to stop for law enforcement.
Bess had been pulled over at San Tan Parkway and Williams Field Road for driving without the car lights on, according to court documents.
Police said as an officer approached the car, Bess feigned holding a gun and pointing it at the officer.
Bess then ignored the officer’s request to get out of the car, instead driving away.
The 30-year-old, who played for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, reached his home near Pecos and Higley roads.
Police Sgt. Jesse Sanger said Bess then barricaded himself in his car and then the house.
Bess remained in the house and occasionally appear at the front door or a window holding a knife, sometimes at his own throat.
Police attempted to get Bess to leave the house for several hours. His family exited and urged him to do the same.
A police dog was released after Bess refused to negotiate. The dog bit him.
Bess was treated for the dog bite and underwent a mental evaluation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
