Stephen Garcia arrived at South Carolina in January as one of the most heralded recruits in the Class of 2007. But he encountered some problems Friday night in Five Points when he was arrested for allegedly failing to stop on police command and public drunkeness.
This is not the way to make Spurrier happy….
This is what The State paper reported today:
Newly recruited USC back-up quarterback Stephen Garcia was arrested at 12:40 a.m. this morning in Five Points on charges of failure to stop on police command and drunkeness, according to a Columbia Police Department incident report.
The touted back-up to USC quarterback Blake Mitchell arrived in Columbia and started classes one month ago.
A “concerned citizen” alerted an officer that Garcia was involved in an altercation behind the Knock Knock Club on Harden Street, where he had been attending a private party, the report said.
According to the report:
The officer approached Garcia but the 19-year-old Florida native quickly walked away. The officer asked him to stop, but Garcia ran and tried to hide in the alley.
When the officer caught up to him, Garcia turned toward the officer “in a threatening manner,” and the officer immediately “engaged his baton.” The officer did not need to use his baton to complete the arrest.
Garcia tried to zip up his pants and fix his belt, and he smelled of alcohol.
“He was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech,” the report said.
Garcia was arrested and taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The report said that Garcia admitted to the officer that he was aware he ran from an officer who was requiring him to stop.
He is still at the detention center awaiting a 3 p.m. bond hearing.
Garcia is considered the highest-profile player recruited by coach Steve Spurrier during Spurrier’s two-year tenure. The seventh-ranked quarterback prospect at Tampa’s Thomas Jefferson High School, he concluded his prep career ranking third in Florida history in passing yards, sixth in touchdowns, fourth in pass attempts and tied for third in completions.
Garcia started classes at USC Jan. 16 after announcing in December his commitment to the Gamecocks. At that time, Garcia was a high school senior and said he intended to graduate early so he could be in Columbia to get ready for the 2007 season.
It’s the second time a USC quarterback has tangled with the law in less than six months. USC quarterback Blake Mitchell was arrested Sept. 13 after allegedly punching a bouncer at a Five Points bar, but the charge was later dropped.
Thoughts???
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