Former Pacer arrested for allegedly stealing $34 bottle of Tito's vodka in Colorado

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Former Pacer arrested for allegedly stealing $34 bottle of Tito's vodka in Colorado

Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star · Indianapolis Star

Fri, Jul 24, 2026 ·

2 min read

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INDIANAPOLIS — Ex- Indiana Pacers point guard Ty Lawson , who came to the team in 2016 with court-ordered supervision for multiple drunk driving charges, was arrested again last week — this time for stealing a $34 bottle of Tito's vodka from a liquor store in Colorado, court records allege.

During the arrest July 16 in Douglas County, Col., while being booked into jail, Lawson allegedly verbally assaulted police, screaming and repeatedly calling an officer (expletive) and "white (expletive)," according to the New York Post , which obtained the probable cause affidavit.

"At times, according to the report, he kicked his cell's glass wall and yelled 'stop' over and over again," the Post reported. "He also allegedly spit on the floor."

Court records say Lawson eventually "calmed down" and apologized for his actions.

Lawson, 38, played almost his entire NBA career with the Denver Nuggets from 2009 to 2015. In July 2015, he was traded to the Houston Rockets .

During his time with the Rockets, on Dec. 18, 2015, Lawson was suspended for two games by the NBA based on his guilty plea for driving while impaired and a lane usage violation after leaving a party in Denver in January 2015.

A month later, on Jan. 7, 2016, Lawson was suspended for three games by the NBA for driving under the influence of alcohol in July 2015. On March 1, he was waived by the Rockets.

The Pacers signed Lawson on March 7, 2016. On March 30, he filed an Interstate Probation Transfer Request, which allowed him to transfer his court-ordered supervision to Indiana .

Lawson's time with the Pacers was mediocre. In his debut with the team, he sprained his left ankle during the second quarter and missed the next five games.

With the team, he played 13 regular-season games and averaged 4.9 points, 4.4 assists and 18.1 minutes per game.

In college, Lawson was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year while leading North Carolina to the NCAA championship in 2009. He also won the Bob Cousy Award, which is presented each year to the nation's top point guard.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow . Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com .