Newton Citizen

Andruw Jones

DULUTH — A fight with his wife while putting together gifts for Christmas morning lead to the arrest of former Braves star Andruw Jones.

Jones faces a battery charge after the early morning fight at his Grey Moss Court home in the Sugarloaf Country Club.

A police report obtained by the Gwinnett Daily Post says Jones drank excessively during a Christmas Eve party at his home. Then, after guests went home, the couple went to the garage to put together a computer desk for the next morning.

During the fight, Jones reportedly grabbed his wife by her left arm and dragged her across the floor of the garage. When she broke free and ran into the house and began to go up the stairs, he grabbed her ankle and dragged her down the stairs, the report added.

Then, he got on top of the wife, whom the Daily Post is not naming because she is a victim of domestic violence, put his hands around her neck and threatened to kill her, the report said.

The wife called police from her parents’ house, where her injuries were documented.

Jones was awoken by police and booked into the county jail at 3:45 a.m. Christmas Day. He was released by 11 a.m. on $2,400 bond.

When officers arrived at the home, they said he appeared confused about what had happened.

"We entered into the bedroom and announced 'Gwinnett County police,'" an officer wrote in the report.

"Andruw did not respond and it appeared as though he was passed out in his clothes," the officer wrote. "I touched Andruw on the arm and said 'Gwinnett County police, Andruw, we need to speak with you.' Andruw woke up and appeared dazed. He appeared heavily intoxicated and confused about why officers were standing in his bedroom."

A 17-year veteran, Jones spent the first 12 years of his career with the Atlanta Braves. He won 10 Gold Gloves and made five All-Star appearances.

After playing in 2011-12 with the New York Yankees as a backup outfielder, Jones signed a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League.