Saints WR Michael Thomas arrested on battery charges

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was arrested on misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief around 7 p.m. Friday, according to Kenner police.

Thomas was cooperative and booked without incident. He was released from police custody around 10 p.m., according to police.

Thomas was arrested following an altercation with a man who was doing construction work on a home under construction in Thomas’ neighborhood. The man said Thomas yelled at him about parking in front of his house and made verbal threats.

According to the man’s statement, Thomas was also upset that the man began recording him during the incident and threw a brick at his windshield, which caused “little to no damage.” The alleged man, Thomas, said he did not want to be recorded, shoved him and snatched the phone from his hand.

The man also told WDSU, the local NBC affiliate, that the problem had been building up for several weeks after Thomas repeatedly asked construction workers to stop parking in front of his house and threatened to throw something about the cars if they weren’t moved.

The charges will be tried in Kenner Mayor’s Court, which has jurisdiction over traffic, misdemeanor and code enforcement violations occurring in the City of Kenner.

The Saints said last night they were aware of the incident and were gathering information.

Thomas’ arrest was the second in the past month by a Saints player in the city of Kenner. Receiver Chris Olave was arrested Oct. 23 on suspicion of reckless operation of a motor vehicle.