Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland has been taken into police custody and later released on bail following an alleged physical assault on a ride-hail driver in Los Angeles.
The Incident in Hollywood Hills
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the arrest of the 59-year-old British-Canadian star in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident is said to have occurred shortly after midnight in the Hollywood Hills area.
Authorities state that Sutherland entered a ride-share vehicle before an altercation took place at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The LAPD reported that the actor "physically assaulted the driver" and "made criminal threats" towards the victim. Police have confirmed the driver was not injured during the alleged assault, though the precise cause of the dispute remains unclear and under investigation.
Release on Bail and Court Date
Sutherland was initially jailed on suspicion of making criminal threats. He was subsequently released after posting a bond worth $50,000 (approximately £37,000).
According to official jail records, his first court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 am on Monday, February 2. The LAPD has emphasised that their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
A History of Legal Troubles
This is not the first encounter with the law for the acclaimed actor. His legal history includes:
- A 2007 jail sentence after pleading no contest to a drunken driving charge.
- A conviction for drunken driving in 2004.
- Several other alcohol-related arrests dating back to the 1990s.
Despite these past incidents, the circumstances surrounding this latest allegation appear distinct, centring on an alleged altercation with a service driver.
Kiefer Sutherland is best known globally for his iconic portrayal of federal agent Jack Bauer in the Fox thriller series 24. His extensive film career includes roles in The Lost Boys, Young Guns, and Rob Reiner's Stand by Me and A Few Good Men.
