Former player Cofield arrested in Lake Mary

An NFL player was arrested Tuesday after deputies say he was found with heroin after ramming a police car in Lake Mary.

Barry Cofield, 34, was arrested on charges including possession of heroin, fleeing and eluding, and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was taken to Seminole County Jail and has since posted bond.

Cofield, who’s listed as a free agent, last played defensive lineman in 2015 for the New York Giants. He declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday evening.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Lake Mary police found Cofield passed out in his Cadillac Escalade near Interstate 4 and Lake Mary Boulevard, according to an arrest report. Cofield’s foot was on the brake, and the traffic light had cycled several times without his car moving.

Police spent several minutes trying to wake Cofield. As an officer tried moving his car in front of Cofield’s, the Escalade accelerated through the light, police said.

Authorities say Cofield led police on a pursuit. During the chase, Cofield’s car “did not stop, but did not take evasive maneuvers to avoid me,” a Seminole County deputy wrote in an arrest report.

Deputies say Cofield sideswiped a car near Lake Mary Boulevard and International Parkway before driving away.

Authorities were able to stop Cofield’s car near a gate in the Steeple Chase subdivision. Cofield rammed a Seminole County deputy’s car as it tried blocking him in, according to an arrest report.

Deputies told Cofield to get out of his car several times without success, court documents state. He finally opened his door when a deputy began shattering his window, authorities said.

After Cofield was placed in handcuffs, deputies found two small bags with a red powdery substance inside of his pocket, authorities said. The powder tested positive for heroin, according to court documents.

Deputies noticed Cofield’s breath smelled of alcohol. He refused to submit to a sobriety test, authorities said.

In addition to the charges, Cofield was also given citations for refusing to submit to a breath test, fleeing and eluding, and careless driving.