Jonathan Taylor Thomas was arrested after an encounter with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies during a DUI investigation in Westlake Village, California.
The 45-year-old Home Improvement actor was a passenger in a vehicle stopped shortly after 12:30 a.m. on September 21. Deputies encountered the car at Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road after seeing it stopped at an intersection with a green light while blocking traffic, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said the driver appeared intoxicated and began conducting a DUI investigation. Thomas, who was sitting in the passenger seat, then repeatedly left the vehicle and approached deputies as they conducted field sobriety tests, according to the department.
Authorities said deputies instructed Thomas to remain in the vehicle, but he continued approaching them and interfering with the investigation. They attempted to detain him on suspicion of obstruction and public intoxication.
The Sheriff’s Department later alleged Thomas kicked a deputy in the stomach during the encounter. He was arrested and taken to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in Agoura Hills, where jail records show he was booked at 1:50 a.m.
Thomas was initially booked on suspicion of felony obstruction and public intoxication, according to NBC Los Angeles. Authorities later legally downgraded the arrest to a detention, PEOPLE reported, and released him more than 34 hours after he was booked.
The driver was separately arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Authorities haven’t publicly identified the driver.
No criminal charges had been filed against Thomas as of September 23. The Sheriff’s Department said the case would be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for review and a decision on whether charges should follow.
Thomas rose to national fame playing Randy Taylor, one of Tim and Jill Taylor’s sons, on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement. He appeared on the series through most of its eight-season run after joining the cast in 1991.
His work during the 1990s also included the voice of young Simba in Disney’s 1994 animated film The Lion King. Thomas later appeared in films including Man of the House, Tom and Huck and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
After becoming one of the better-known child actors of the decade, Thomas gradually reduced his Hollywood work. He later made television appearances on 8 Simple Rules, Veronica Mars and Smallville before reuniting with Tim Allen on Last Man Standing.
Thomas appeared in four episodes of Last Man Standing between 2013 and 2015 and also directed three episodes. He has largely stayed away from public life since then, with few acting roles or media appearances.
In a 2013 interview with PEOPLE, Thomas said he had worked continuously from age eight and wanted time for school, travel and a break from acting. His departure from Home Improvement came during its final season, when the show sent Randy Taylor to Costa Rica.
The reunion came more than 25 years after Home Improvement ended and drew attention because Thomas has rarely appeared publicly in recent years. The September incident marks a separate legal matter, with prosecutors yet to decide whether the allegations will result in criminal charges.
