Kiefer Sutherland arrested in Hollywood ride-share assault

Emmy-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early Monday morning following an alleged assault on a ride-share driver in Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The 59-year-old star, best known for his role as Jack Bauer in the action series "24," was taken into custody just after midnight near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. He was released hours later on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 2.

Background

Sutherland has had a long career in television and film, earning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work on "24," which ran from 2001 to 2010. More recently, he appeared in the political thriller series "Designated Survivor." However, his professional success has been shadowed by a history of legal troubles dating back decades.

In 2004, Sutherland was arrested for driving under the influence. Three years later, in 2007, he served 48 days in jail after pleading no contest to a drunken driving charge and a probation violation. He has also faced several other alcohol-related arrests since the 1990s. In 2009, he was charged with third-degree assault after allegedly head-butting fashion designer Jack McCollough at the Met Gala, though that charge was later dropped after the two men settled their differences.

Key Details

Police say officers responded to a radio call around 12:15 a.m. on Monday for a report of an assault involving a ride-share driver. According to dispatch audio obtained by authorities, the driver was reportedly running from the suspect at the time of the initial call.

"The investigation determined that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (the victim), and made criminal threats toward the victim."

Sutherland was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony criminal threats. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the driver did not sustain any injuries requiring medical treatment. The Hollywood Division of the LAPD is continuing to investigate the incident.

The arrest and release

After his arrest, Sutherland was booked into custody. Jail records show he posted a $50,000 bond and was released the same day. His first court appearance is set for February 2 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. As of now, Sutherland has not publicly commented on the arrest or the allegations against him.

What This Means

The arrest marks another chapter in Sutherland's ongoing struggles with the law. While his acting career has included award-winning roles and steady work in television, his personal life has been marked by repeated legal issues, particularly those related to alcohol. The felony criminal threats charge is more serious than some of his previous arrests and could carry significant consequences depending on how the case proceeds.

The incident has drawn attention not only because of Sutherland's celebrity status but also because it involves a ride-share driver, a growing concern as reports of assaults on gig economy workers have increased in recent years. The case will likely proceed through the court system over the coming weeks, with the February 2 court date representing the beginning of that process.

For now, the investigation remains ongoing, and the details of what led to the altercation inside the vehicle remain unclear. The coming weeks will likely reveal more information as the case moves through the legal system.