COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A judge on Friday ordered a mental health evaluation of former Ohio State football player Maurice Clarett, delaying his trial on robbery charges that was set to start next week.

The ruling comes two days after Clarett allegedly led police on a chase on the city's Far East Side. Officers said they then found four loaded weapons inside the SUV that Clarett was driving and said Clarett was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Fais said the evaluation would be in the best interest of protecting Clarett's rights.

Clarett's trial on robbery charges is now scheduled to begin on Sept. 18. He was accused of flashing a gun and holding up two people outside a Columbus bar early on New Year's Day.

Police said they used Mace and a Taser gun to arrest Clarett on Wednesday morning. Police said they spotted an SUV that was driving erratically along Brice Road. They followed it as it traveled 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 the parking lot of a Tee Jaye's Country Place restaurant, located at 2435 Brice Road, where Clarett was taken into custody.

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.

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 Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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