Former Richmond player Daniel Connors has been arrested amid allegations the 34-year-old was involved in “a violent car chase” last month.

Daniel Connors : Arrested | Why has been arrested

Connors was suspended by Richmond for eight matches following a drunken rampage outside a Sydney hotel in 2010, hours after the Tigers’ Round 3 loss against the Sydney Swans the night before.

Daniel Connors : Arrested | Why has been arrested

He, along with senior players Ben Cousins, Dean Polo and Luke McGuane were banned over the drunken rampage.

Late that season, Connors earned the ire of umpire Stuart Wenn when the umpire told him that he was “battling himself out of his league”.

He had further behavioural issues relating to alcohol during the 2011/12 AFL off-season, earning a further internal suspension from the club.

Daniel Connors arrested 

Daniel Connors appeared in court on Friday on a string of offences, including drugs and firearms charges, and the alleged theft of a motor vehicle police say was used in a violent crime where shots were fired.

Daniel Connors : Arrested | Why has been arrested

Connors, who played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012 before being sacked for a well-documented sleeping pill blunder after repeat behavioural warnings, did not apply for bail in court on Friday.

He will likely now remain behind bars until his next court appearance in March.

“The former footy star was arrested in Geelong yesterday (Thursday) by members of the SOG (Special Operations Group),” 7NEWS reporter Cassie Zervos revealed.

“Daniel Connors was one of three men wanted over a violent car chase on Christmas Eve where shots were fired from one car to another.

“Police from the Echo taskforce and the VIPER taskforce swooped on other men, arresting a 24-year-old man from Deer Park.”

Connors’ arrest was part of a gang crime squad probe where raids were conducted on addresses across the Melbourne metro area.

Police are alleging a stolen Toyota Rav4 was used to pursue a Volkswagen through a number of Melbourne’s northern suburbs where dashcam vision shows the vehicle run a red light and cross onto the wrong side of the road as part of evasive measures.

Why has been arrested 

Former Richmond AFL footballer Daniel Connors is behind bars, facing firearm and drug charges.

Melbourne’s Cassie Zervos reported on Friday that the former Tiger was arrested by the Special Operations Group in Geelong.

Daniel Connors : Arrested | Why has been arrested

“Daniel Connors was one of three men wanted over a violent car chase on Christmas Eve where shots were fired from one car to another,” she said.

“Today police from Eco Taskforce and the Viper Task Force swooped on other men, arresting a 24-year-old man from Deer Park.

“Connors faced court (on Friday), charged with a string of offences including possessing cocaine and possessing a weapon.

“Officers released vision of a witness they believe can help in the investigation but want to stress he isn’t in trouble and isn’t involved in any way.

“Connors didn’t apply for bail and will face a magistrate again in March.”

Despite playing just 29 games at the highest level, Connors was considered a prodigious talent with a long AFL career ahead of him.

But he was sacked by Richmond in 2012 after a string of off-field issues and rumours of his out-of-hours activities marred his career.

Connors was reportedly close friends with Richmond champion Dustin Martin, and his sacking was seen at the time – in part at least – as a safeguard for Martin amid concerns the eventual Brownlow medallist would end up in trouble via association.

Daniel Connors : Arrested | Why has been arrested

“The 34-year-old played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012 before being sacked for his off-field activities including the use of alcohol and sleeping pills,” Zervos said.

“He was considered a player with unrealised potential.”

By Rishabh

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