HOUSTON — After news got out about the arrest of Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley, Houston media outlets began to scramble to see who could be first with the breaking news, the Facebook posts and tweets, and .. ..the most coveted dash cam video.
Now of course, at first, details are always “sketchy,” until the reason comes out. Then you wonder if it really is news – or start looking for the “bigger picture.”
Being a member of the media, I can not give an opinion on the arrest of the young, black millionaire riding around the streets of Houston in a Rolls Royce, so I will just give you the details, a little video and let you sip tea and decipher for yourself.
To give you the “news” side of things, NewsWithAttitude.com dug up our own deets and VIDEO, and can sum it up for you like this.
According to the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office, a driver was pulled over by Pearland police on Beltway 8 and Telephone Road around 9 a.m. Wednesday. The driver was identified as Patrick Dushaun Beverley, 27, of the Houston Rockets.
Police discovered that Beverley had an open Class C misdemeanor warrant for “Operating a Motor Vehicle on Toll Road When Prohibited,” issued out of Harris County.
Beverley was handcuffed and transported to a police substation in Clear Lake. He was released around 11 a.m. after paying a fine of $321.
HALT… SAY WHAT… is what most people are saying, sparking a hot topic on morning radio shows. Three hundred and twenty-one dollars? What’s really going on? Did police just see a black man in a fancy car riding around in “The Dirty South?”
Is it a case of Driving While Black – which is a common offense of many young, black men.
Or is it a case of Driving While Balling – which is a common offense of many young, RICH, black men.
Or is it a case of a COMBINATION of the two, mixed with a little, YOU GOT CAUGHT SLIPPING BRO’ – and unnecessarily!
So, I will give you the details of the offenses police tagged Beverley with.
January 19, 2015
Cited for failure to pay toll
Cited for operating a motor vehicle on a toll road when prohibited
February 25, 2015
Cited for operating a motor vehicle on a toll road when prohibited
March 24, 2015
Failure to show for court appearance
April 6, 2015
Failure to show for court appearance
April 29, 2015
Warrant issued
November 11, 2015
Warrant served
The Rockets released the following statement on the issue:
“Patrick Beverley missed shoot-around this morning to resolve issues related to his vehicle registration and E-Z tag pass. Those issues have been resolved and the team considers the matter closed. Beverley is available to play against the Nets this evening.”
Now.. what exactly IS the bigger picture?
Beverley was pulled over for “speeding in a school zone,” the officer is heard saying on the video, but he was not issued a citation… so it leaves you to wonder if skin color mixed with the “Rolls” was a factor. BUT when they ran his name, they got a hit…and NUMEROUS offenses!
So, no matter how large or small the fine, an offense is an offense.
Beverley’s excuse?
“They were charging my old credit card and it became a warrant. That’s why I went to jail. I didn’t get a ticket or anything. But I went to jail for EZ Tag,” Beverley told the Houston Chronicle after he was released. “It was very weird, man. Especially me. I could have had a better story than that.”
He joked, then issued a warning for others.
“I should be the spokesperson for EZ Tag now,” Beverley said. “But for real, Houston drivers, just remember, get your EZ tag updated. Make sure you got it all up to date because I guess it’s a real big crime down here.”
Pay your fines ahead of time, Bro. Trust me, we all have had to wait in the long lines before. But for an EZ tag offense – you can MAIL IT IN!
“Gotsss ta be mo’ careful next time!” Lesson learned…or nahhhh? This is Texas, you know.
