Vikings receiver Taylor arrested on minor charges

Vikings receiver Travis Taylor was arrested early Monday in downtown Minneapolis on three misdemeanor charges.

By By Judd Zulgad jzulgad@startribune.com

Last update: January 1, 2007 - 11:24 AM

Vikings receiver Travis Taylor was arrested early Monday in downtown Minneapolis on three misdemeanor charges.

The veteran, whose team finished its season on Sunday with a 41-21 loss to St. Louis at the Metrodome, was charged with disorderly conduct, fifth-degree assault and interference with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Taylor was outside a nightclub at 311 First Avenue just after 3 a.m. when Minneapolis police asked him and several others to move along, according to Lt. Greg Reinhardt. Reinhardt said Taylor refused to comply with the orders. "Mr. Taylor pulled away and was given many verbal warnings," Reinhardt said. "He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The officer took the proper steps and Mr. Taylor forcibly put his hands on the officer."

Reinhardt said the arresting officer "deployed" his taser to "bring Mr. Taylor under control," and arrested him. He was taken to Hennepin County jail and released at 4:40 a.m. on $50 bail.

Taylor was at Winter Park later Monday morning for the Vikings' season-ending meetings. Approached in the locker room, Taylor initially said he would have no comment. "I'm going to discuss it with a team official, the situation and go from there," he said.

Taylor went on to call the arrest "a misunderstanding," and termed it, "an unfortunate situation." "You've just got to deal with it," he said. He denied that there was any type of altercation. "It wasn't anything like that," Taylor said. "[I was] just in the limo and got pulled out. We'll discuss that later and deal with the situation."

Taylor's initial court appearance has been set for Jan. 3, according to the Hennepin County jail roster.