Another year, another Rodman arrest

Paul Clinton

Dennis Rodman started out 2002 as if it were still 2001 -- with an

arrest.

The latest incident in his ongoing troubles with Newport Beach police

occurred at 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning, when Rodman was arrested at his

Mariner’s Mile restaurant for obstructing an investigation.

After noticing a group of cars in the parking lot outside Josh

Slocums, which the former NBA star co-owns, police suspected that alcohol

was being illegally served after 2 a.m., Lt. John Klein said.

The arrest came after Rodman appeared at the door of the restaurant

and barred police from entering for about 35 minutes.

“Dennis Rodman was at the door,” Klein said. “He was arrested for

delaying the officers in the investigation.”

Calls to Josh Slocums seeking comment from Rodman or a restaurant

manager were not returned.

Rodman’s predawn blockade cost him a trip to the city lockup. The

former Laker was then transferred to Orange County jail in Santa Ana,

where he was booked for obstructing and delaying a police officer, Klein

said.

Bail was set at $500, which Rodman paid. He was then released.

Police will submit the charges to the district attorney for possible

filing.

If the district attorney’s office moves forward on the misdemeanor, it

would be added to a growing list of infractions against the West Newport

resident.

On Oct. 25, Rodman pleaded guilty to three complaints stemming from

noise violations at a 40th birthday bash that police in riot gear broke

up in front of Rodman’s Seashore Drive home. The former Laker had arrived

in a helicopter.

The episode cost him $1,500 in fines for disturbing the peace.

In August, Rodman was cited for speeding in Newport Harbor with his

powerboat “Sexual Chocolate.” That ticket cost him $1,080.

In 2000, Rodman was arrested for driving under the influence of

alcohol and driving without a valid license.

Newport Beach police wrote Rodman 14 citations between 1999 and 2000.

Officers went to his home on more than 50 occasions and, during that

period, Rodman paid about $8,500 in fines for noise code violations.