Rodney King arrested on drug charges

The 1991 police beating of Rodney King and its aftermath caused repercussions throughout the LAPD.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Infamous police beating victim Rodney King was arrested Tuesday in Claremont, California, for being under the influence of drugs at a motel.

King, whose beating and subsequent arrest by Los Angeles Police officers in 1991 was caught on tape and televised, became synonymous with police brutality.

Claremont Police Lt. Gary Jenkins said his department received a call from a motel desk clerk saying a guest was reporting a stolen vehicle. The clerk added that the guest appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. When police responded to the scene, the guest identified himself as Rodney King.

Jenkins said police determined that King was possibly under the influence of PCP and arrested him without incident.

While police were investigating King's stolen vehicle, his girlfriend arrived in the vehicle. Police said King was "apparently confused about where his car was," when in fact, they said, his girlfriend had been out on an errand.

King was released from custody at 3:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. ET) Tuesday on a citation to appear in Pomona Superior Court on October 2.

The four police officers accused in the 1991 King beating were acquitted on criminal charges, sparking days of violent rioting in Los Angeles. Two of them were later charged with violating King's federal civil rights and served time in prison.