BREAKING NEWS AFL star Ben Cousins arrested

[csv8]

AFL star Ben Cousins arrestedArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment October 16, 2007 04:02pm

BREAKING NEWS: Troubled West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins has been arrested after police searched his car in Perth today, witnesses said.

Nine Network reporter Grant Taylor told Southern Cross radio he saw Cousins being handcuffed and put in a police car in Aberdeen Street at East Perth.

He said a second West Coast player was also being interviewed.

Cousins was shirtless and grinning as he was led away, Taylor said. ABC Radio said the footballer was being interviewed at East Perth police station.

The AFL club said earlier they knew nothing of the incident.

"I'm not sure if he's even in the country, he's on leave," the spokesman said.

Taylor said police conducted a thorough search of Cousins and his vehicle on the roadside. He said a young woman was also in the car.

"Just a short while ago police have taken Ben Cousins away, handcuffed, shirtless, into custody, taken him away for questioning after stopping him and a young woman in his car on Aberdeen St," Taylor told Southern Cross at 1530 AEST.

"We also understand that police are also questioning another man, there's a rumour that that other man could be a current member of the West Coast Eagles."

Cousins has never tested positive to illicit drugs but flew to the United States for rehabilitation earlier this year and apologised for his conduct.

He returned to play for the club on a number of conditions, believed to include a zero tolerance clause to testing positive to banned substances, staying away from underworld figures and not falling foul of the law.

Cousins, a former skipper of the club, was with Eagles legend Chris Mainwaring hours before he died earlier this month.

Further comment is being sought from WA Police and the West Coast Eagles.