'Home Improvement' Star Jonathan Taylor Thomas Jailed After He Allegedly 'Kicked a Deputy in the Stomach'

Former Home Improvement child star Jonathan Taylor Thomas spent more than a day in custody after a late-night encounter with sheriff's deputies allegedly escalated into the actor 'kicking a deputy in the stomach.'

Thomas, 45, was a passenger in a vehicle encountered by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies in Westlake Village, California, shortly after midnight on Monday, 21 September. Authorities said he was arrested on suspicion of obstruction and public intoxication after allegedly interfering with a DUI investigation involving the driver.

Thomas Allegedly 'Kicked a Deputy in the Stomach'

Deputies encountered the vehicle at around 12:30am at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road after noticing it stopped at a green light and blocking traffic, according to the sheriff's department.

Authorities said deputies pulled alongside the vehicle to determine whether the driver needed assistance and noticed that the motorist appeared to be intoxicated. They subsequently began conducting field sobriety tests.

Thomas, whose legal name is Jonathan Taylor Thomas Weiss, allegedly became involved while deputies investigated the driver.

The sheriff's department said the actor 'appeared intoxicated, continually exited the vehicle and approached the deputies,' distracting officers from the DUI investigation.

Deputies then attempted to detain Thomas on suspicion of obstruction and public intoxication. During that attempt, authorities allege he 'kicked a deputy in the stomach.'

Thomas was subsequently taken into custody and booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. The driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

'Home Improvement' Star Spent 34 Hours in Custody

Jail records show Thomas remained in custody until Tuesday after being booked following the Westlake Village incident.

NBC Los Angeles reported that the actor was booked on suspicion of felony obstruction and public intoxication before being released. The Los Angeles Times reported that records later indicated the incident had been reclassified as a detention rather than an arrest.

No criminal charges had been filed against Thomas as of Wednesday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the case would be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for consideration of possible charges.

NBC Los Angeles said it had contacted Thomas for comment.

Who Is Jonathan Taylor Thomas?

Thomas became one of the most recognisable child actors of the 1990s after landing the role of Randy Taylor, the middle son of Tim Allen's character, Tim Taylor, on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement.

He also provided the voice of young Simba in Disney's 1994 animated blockbuster The Lion King.

His other film credits include Man of the House, Tom and Huck, The Adventures of Pinocchio and I'll Be Home for Christmas.

Despite becoming a teenage heart-throb during the height of his Home Improvement fame, Thomas eventually stepped away from Hollywood to concentrate on his education. He later studied at Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of St Andrews in Scotland, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Thomas has largely remained out of the Hollywood spotlight in the years since his child-star career, making the reported police encounter a rare return to widespread public attention.