Jonathan Taylor Thomas arrested in Westlake Village, accused of kicking deputy during traffic stop

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, the former “Home Improvement” star, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and obstruction in Westlake Village, California, on September 21, 2026, in the morning. The incident escalated when Thomas allegedly kicked a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop, law enforcement said.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas arrested in Westlake Village, Calif., on Sept. 21, 2026. Thomas was arrested on charges of public intoxication and obstruction after allegedly interfering with a DUI investigation and kicking a sheriff’s deputy in the stomach, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case to decide whether to file formal charges.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement to media outlets on September 23 that deputies initially observed a vehicle stopped on a green light, blocking traffic at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road.

Deputies approached the vehicle to check on the occupants and noticed the driver appeared to be intoxicated. Authorities stopped the vehicle and administered field sobriety tests to the driver.

During the investigation, it’s alleged Thomas, a passenger in the vehicle, started interfering with the officers. Thomas “seemed intoxicated, kept getting out of the vehicle and walking up to the deputies, distracting them from their investigation,” the Sheriff’s Department said.

Deputies attempted to arrest Thomas for obstruction and public intoxication, and the situation escalated. The statement said Thomas kicked a deputy in the stomach before he was taken into custody.

The driver of the vehicle was also arrested on suspicion of drink driving. According to jail records, Thomas was held for nearly 36 hours before any information about the arrest was made public.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department verified the source of information about this incident.

In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, a department spokesperson confirmed the chain of events and said the deputy who was kicked did not need to be hospitalized. However, the department did not release details of the deputy’s condition.

The case will be presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration,” the Sheriff’s Department statement said.

As of September 24, 2026, representatives for Jonathan Taylor Thomas have not commented or responded to requests for comment regarding the arrest.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas became a household name worldwide in the 1990s as the mischievous middle child Randy Taylor on the hit ABC sitcom “Home Improvement,” where he starred alongside Tim Allen. He appeared in more than 170 episodes from 1991 to 1998, when he left the show to focus on high school and college.

After leaving mainstream television, Thomas made occasional guest appearances on shows including “Smallville,” “8 Simple Rules,” and “Veronica Mars.” He also reunited with Tim Allen in a recurring role on “Last Man Standing” in the early 2010s. The arrest is especially jarring because Thomas has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years after decades in the spotlight.

This event underscores the legal ramifications of hindering law enforcement efforts in California. Under California law, Penal Code Section 148(a)(1) makes it a misdemeanor offense to willfully resist, delay, or obstruct a peace officer in the discharge of their duties. The legal scrutiny of the incident increases dramatically when coupled with allegations of public intoxication and battery on a peace officer.

The case reminds the public and media that an arrest is an allegation, not a conviction. The judicial process will decide whether enough evidence exists to bring formal criminal charges.

The next step in this case is now up to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors are reviewing the police reports, witness statements, and any available video evidence to decide whether to bring formal criminal charges against Thomas.

The DA’s Office has a few options. They can file misdemeanor charges for public intoxication, obstruction, and possibly battery on a peace officer. They can decline the case for insufficient evidence, or they can request the Sheriff’s Department to do a further investigation.

Under the law, Thomas is presumed innocent until formally charged.

What did Jonathan Taylor Thomas get arrested for?
Thomas was taken into custody for alleged public intoxication and resisting an officer, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

Did Jonathan Taylor Thomas kick a police officer?
Thomas allegedly kicked a sheriff’s deputy in the stomach as he was trying to arrest him for obstruction, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

Has Jonathan Taylor Thomas Been Formally Charged With a Crime?
As of September 24, 2026, no formal charges have been filed. The case has been referred to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration for filing.