Veteran comedian Paul Rodriguez was arrested Monday night at a Burbank restaurant after police allegedly discovered narcotics in his vehicle during a welfare check.
The 70-year-old performer was taken into custody following a search of his car that reportedly yielded Xanax and suspected fentanyl, according to NBC4 Los Angeles. Rodriguez denied ownership of the substances found by officers, maintaining his innocence in the latest incident.
The arrest marks Rodriguez's second drug-related encounter with law enforcement this year. He previously faced similar charges in March but maintained that those substances also did not belong to him.
Monday Night Restaurant Incident
Officers responded to an Islands restaurant in Burbank after receiving a call for a welfare check on a woman accompanying Rodriguez. The pair was reportedly leaving the establishment when police arrived and stopped them for questioning.
Authorities arrested the unidentified woman on suspicion of drug possession, which prompted them to search the vehicle. Rodriguez was subsequently arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of narcotics around 10 p.m. Monday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records show Rodriguez was booked shortly after his arrest and released Tuesday morning with a citation. He spent approximately eight hours in custody before his release just after 6 a.m.
Previous March Arrest Details
Rodriguez's earlier arrest occurred during a traffic stop in March, where he initially faced misdemeanor drug possession charges. The comedian claimed the traffic stop was racially motivated and detailed disturbing allegations about the arresting officer's conduct.
According to Rodriguez's account to TMZ, he was sleeping in the passenger seat while a female friend drove the vehicle. He alleged that an officer slapped him in the face to wake him up during the stop, describing the behavior as a "power trip."
The comedian maintained that the drugs found during the March incident belonged to his female companion, not him. He claimed the woman also told police the substances were hers during the traffic stop.
Charges Dropped In April
The Burbank City Attorney's office dropped all charges against Rodriguez in April due to insufficient evidence. Rodriguez's attorney Bobby Samini praised the decision, stating his client "commends the City Attorney for their determination in this matter."
Samini emphasized Rodriguez's innocence in a public statement, saying, "It is without doubt that Mr. Rodriguez was innocent and never possessed any controlled substance." The lawyer added that Rodriguez "maintained his innocence and rejected the assertion by Burbank PD that he committed any crime."
Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the support he received during the difficult period. His legal team successfully argued there was insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution in the March case.
Personal Challenges And Career Legacy
Rodriguez has faced significant personal challenges recently, including the death of longtime friend Donald Serrato at his Los Angeles home in November. Serrato died from natural causes while staying with Rodriguez before a planned move to Montana.
The comedian also underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2021, adding to his health concerns. Rodriguez, born in Sinaloa before immigrating to Compton with his family, has maintained a comedy career spanning more than four decades.
Rodriguez remains a fixture on the stand-up circuit and holds a prestigious spot among comedians whose photos hang on the wall of the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His career includes hosting "The Newlywed Game" and appearing in films like "Blood Work," "Ali," and "Rat Race."
