TJ Finley arrest: Auburn police release statement contradicting lawyer comments

Thursday, news came out that Auburn quarterback TJ Finley was arrested for eluding police. His lawyer released a statement after the story came out, calling the situation a “misunderstanding” — but Auburn Police also sent out a statement contradicting some points Finley’s lawyer made.

Auburn Police sent out a statement Thursday providing more details about what happened during the July 26 incident. Finley, who turned himself in, was allegedly riding a moped without a helmet and eluded police as they tried to stop him for it.

“The arrest stems from Auburn Police attempting to perform traffic stops of a male operating a motorcycle, on two separate occasions near the area of Heisman Drive and South Donahue drive on July 26, 2022,” the statement read. “The male, who was not wearing a helmet, fled from police and committed several other traffic offenses in the process. Officers terminated the pursuit on both occasions as a matter of safety. Tyler Jamal Finley was identified as the person operating the motorcycle and an arrest warrant was obtained.

“On Aug. 4, 2022 Finley turned himself in and was arrested in obedience to the warrant at the Lee County Jail. He was also issued traffic citations. Finley was booked in ad made eligible for a $3000 bond.”

The statement from Finley’s attorney said the Tigers quarterback was released on bond. He also re-joined his team for practice on Thursday, according to coach Bryan Harsin.

“The charges pending against my client, T.J. Finley, are the result of traffic violations and a misunderstanding,” Finley’s attorney’s statement read, via AL.com’s Tom Green. “The charges are in the process of being handled in Municipal Court within the City of Auburn as all traffic citations are. As soon as T.J. learned of the charges, he turned himself in and has been released on a bond he signed for himself. His first day of football camp with Auburn University has been a success.”