Former NFL player and New England Patriots wide receiver Ricky Bryant accused of chasing newspaper carrier; Speeds reached 100 mph
by Bryn Mickle | The Flint Journal Monday October 20, 2008, 7:51 AM
Ricky Bryant
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- A former New England Patriots wide receiver is accused of chasing a newspaper carrier and pointing a gun at him.
Ricky Bryant, 27, of Clarkston was charged with two felonies this week after an Oakland Press carrier claimed Bryant started following him on his route about 3 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 14, 2008, as he delivered papers in an subdivision near Waldon and Sashabaw roads.
When the carrier sped away at 80 mph on Sashabaw, he told police that Bryant briefly caught up to him and pointed a gun at him.
The chase continued -- this time reaching speeds of 100 mph, police said.
Oakland County Sheriff's deputies answering the carrier's 911 call soon caught up with Bryant near a gas station and found an unloaded .40-caliber Glock pistol inside his car and two spent casings.
Police said Bryant appeared to be very intoxicated and investigators are still unsure why he was allegedly chasing the 23-year-old carrier.
The carrier told police that he had never seen Bryant before and had no idea why he had followed him.
A Detroit attorney for Bryant could not be reached for comment.
Bryant was arraigned Tuesday on charges of felonious assault, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a felony under the influence.
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