COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Police said they used Mace and a Taser gun to arrest former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett Wednesday morning after they found an arsenal of weapons inside an SUV he was driving.

Clarett was taken into custody at about 3 a.m. in a restaurant's parking lot off Brice Road following a brief chase.

Police said they spotted an SUV that was driving erratically along Brice Road. They followed it as it drove onto Interstate 70.

The SUV was then seen making a U-turn along the interstate. Officers placed stop-sticks on the road, but the SUV continued driving and exited along Brice Road.

Despite a flat tire, the vehicle then struck a police cruiser in a the parking lot of a Tee Jaye's Country Place restaurant, located at 2435 Brice Rd., where Clarett was taken into custody.

"I saw the car come over here in the Tee Jaye's lot and actually bump into the cruiser," said a witness who requested anonymity. "He didn't want to stop."

"(Clarett) was resisting to the point that they felt it was necessary to try to use a Taser," said Columbus police Sgt. Mike Woods. "He had a bulletproof vest on and the Tasers would not penetrate that, so they used Mace. It took several officers to get his arms behind his back and get him under control and handcuffed."

Police said they were forced to secure a cloth around Clarett's mouth after he allegedly spit at the officers during the arrest.

Police said officers found an arsenal of weapons inside the SUV, including a loaded AK-47-type rifle and three loaded handguns. A hatchet, clothing and an open bottle of vodka were also taken from the vehicle, police said.

Law enforcement officers said police exercised great restraint because the situation could have escalated.

Sources said they believe witnesses for Clarett's robbery trial may live in the area.

"If, in fact, the state knew where these people lived and had correct addresses, that would concern me," said Nick Mango, Clarett's attorney.

The SUV was registered to Clarett's uncle in Youngstown.

Clarett was booked into the Franklin County Jail at about 8 a.m. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

"We're in shock," Mango said. "One of our concerns right now is his mental and emotional health. That's something that we want to address with him as well."

Clarett's attorneys said their client traveled to Columbus from Youngstown on Tuesday evening to appear at a conference in court on Wednesday. They said they spoke with Clarett well into Tuesday night.

"This was a phone conference. It was our understanding that he was on the road and it was a lengthy conversation. I didn't hear anything that indicated that he had any worries or problems," Mango said.

Clarett was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and could face another charge if he's accused of having a weapon while already under indictment for a crime of violence. He could also face federal charges now being considered by the ATF.

Clarett appeared in court later on Wednesday for a status hearing regarding an aggravated robbery charge. He is scheduled to go on trial next Monday for an incident that allegedly occurred early on New Year's Day outside a Columbus bar.

The judge increased bond for Clarett to $1.1 million. Clarett's attorneys indicated that their client does not have the financial resources to post bond, and will remain in jail.

Clarett plans to play for the Mahoning Valley Hitmen, based in his hometown of Youngstown. It's one of five teams in the Eastern Indoor Football League.

Hitmen coach and owner Jim Terry said the arrest won't affect Clarett's status with the team. He added that he's seen "far worse situations" than Clarett's.

Terry also said there was no indication anything was wrong when he spoke with Clarett by cell phone very early Wednesday.