Rodney King Arrested on Drug Charges

C L A R E M O N T, Calif., Aug. 29, 2001 -- Rodney King was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with being under the influence of the psychedelic drug PCP.

Police said King was arrested at about 7:30 a.m., when he told a hotel clerk his car had been stolen. The clerk called police to report the alleged theft, but also told them King was acting strangely.

"Mr. King wasn't violent at the location, but he did display some objective symptoms of PCP intoxication," said Claremont police Lt. Gary Jenkins.

King's Car 'Wasn't Exactly Stolen'

While police were in the process of arresting King, his girlfriend drove up in the car that he was attempting to report stolen, Jenkins said.

"It turned out he became a little bit confused about where his car was and where his girlfriend was and it wasn't exactly stolen," said Jenkins.

King was taken to Pomona Valley hospital for medical clearance, and then to jail, he said. He was released and given a citation to appear in court. If convicted, he faces up to 90 days in jail.

Forever Linked to L.A. Riots

King's 1991 arrest and police beating, videotaped and shown on national television, sparked riots and unrest in Los Angeles a year later, when four white officers accused of beating him were not convicted.

Two officers were later found guilty of federal charges of violating King's civil rights. ABC station KABC in Los Angeles contributed to this report.