John Boyett, now a former member of the Broncos’ practice squad, was arrested early Wednesday in Greenwood Village after police say he drunkenly head-butted and punched a cab driver, stole a shovel from a construction site then tried to hide from officers by covering himself in mulch, court records show.

Boyett, 24, told arresting officers to “contact his boss John Elway” before repeatedly slamming his head into a patrol car window while yelling and spitting, records say.

Boyett, a safety, was released by the Broncos on Thursday, the team said.

This week’s arrest was Boyett’s second run-in with the law in 13 months. He had made the Indianapolis Colts’ season-opening roster as a sixth-round rookie last season before he was arrested on charges of disorderly public intoxication and resisting arrest after an altercation with police in September 2013.

Boyett competed for a spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster during training camp but was waived after the team’s final preseason game. He was re-signed to their practice squad Aug. 31.

The Broncos told The Denver Post they were “disappointed” to learn of his arrest and behavior.

Before his arrest, Boyett had been drinking at the Sports Book Bar & Grill, where a bartender and patrons said he was highly intoxicated and making threats, police say.

Police said Boyett tried to take food off another patron’s plate and was asked to leave when he became agitated, threatening to punch a bartender and refusing to pay his tab.

Two police officers responded and called Boyett a cab. About five minutes later, the driver called authorities to report he had been assaulted by Boyett on the 9700 block of East Arapahoe Road, records say.

Responding officers and Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies confronted Boyett and took him into custody after “giving Boyett commands and having Tasers pointed at him until he complied.”

Boyett has been charged with third-degree assault, theft and harassment.

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul

Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.