Crime & Safety

Police: Falcons' John Abraham argumentative, intoxicated

Police report indicates Falcons player repeatedly refused to the leave a crime scene Monday evening where a woman was threatening to jump from an Atlantic Station hotel where Abraham lived.

Update: 5:50 p.m. Sept. 25, 2012

Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham was described as argumentative and “obviously intoxicated” in the report filed by Atlanta Police Officer Christopher Blaise, who arrested Abraham on a pair of misdemeanor obstruction charges Monday night at Atlantic Station.

The reports indicates that repeated requests by Atlanta police and fire and Atlantic Station security personnel for Abraham to leave a crime scene outside the Twelve Hotel where he lived were ignored.

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Blaise described the NFL’s active career quarterback sack leader as having “a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from him, his speech was extremely slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet'' prior to his arrest.

According to the report released Tuesday afternoon, safety personnel were dispatched to the hotel shortly around 6:30 p.m. in response to reports that a woman was threatening to jump from a 13th floor balcony of the 26-story hotel located at 361 17th Street.

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Soon after the police/fire “DO NOT CROSS” yellow crime scene tape was put up, Blaise was approached by a firefighter who said that Abraham had crossed the tape and refused “at least five times” to step back.

Blaised then approached Abraham and “asked him to simply move behind the tape and clear the scene for his safety. The male argued with me stating that he lived at the location and that he owned three condos there.”

After explaining to Abraham that other residents were waiting behind the tape until the situation could be resolved, Blaise reported that “the male continuously stood in the same place arguing, repeating that he owned three condos at the location.”

After “at least five” more requests to leave, Abraham reportedly acted if he was going to leave, but turned back around and argued more. After being warned he would be arrested if he did not step behind the tape, Abraham “continued to argue and repeated several times, ‘I own three condos in this Twelve.”’

Abraham was then arrested. The woman threatening to jump did not and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

The Falcons did not practice Tuesday, but coach Mike Smith told members of the media that the situation “is a legal process and we’re going to let the legal process run its course.”

Smith did expect Abraham to play Sunday at home against the Carolina Panthers.

 

Original story: For the second time in a week, a high-profile starter for the Atlanta Falcons has been arrested.

A week after running back Michael Turner was booked by Gwinnett County police on charges of DUI and speeding, defensive end John Abraham was arrested by Atlanta police on Monday night and charged with obstruction of police and obstruction of fire fighters during an incident at Atlantic Station.

According to several media outlets including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a woman was threatening to jump off the 26-story Twelve luxury suite hotel at the mixed-use development and Atlanta safety personnel had the crime scene area taped off.

Abraham, who “might” live in the building and had "no connection" to the suicidal woman as reported by WSB Radio, allegedly entered the crime scene to get a closer look at the situation. When an Atlanta firefighter asked him repeatedly to leave, Abraham refused.

Police officers then ordered Abraham to vacate the scene and after he reportedly continued to refuse, he was arrested and charged with the two misdemeanors.

Abraham, the NFL's active career leader in quarterback sacks with 114, was released early Tuesday morning after posting $7,000 bond.

In a statement issued Monday night, the Falcons' organization said it was "aware of the news regarding John Abraham. We are in the process of gathering more information and we will have no further comment at this time."

The Falcons defeated the Chargers 27-3 in San Diego on Sunday and are one of three undefeated teams in the NFL. The 34-year-old Abraham signed a three-year, $16.72 million contract with Atlanta during the offseason after leading the team with 9 1/2 sacks last year.


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