Nicholas Brendon: Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor arrested for trashing Hilton hotel room and not paying the bill

His agent said: "Nicholas' disease is damaging and consistently misunderstood"

Nicholas Brendon's agent says his disease is "misunderstood" (Matt Baron/BEI/Rex Features)

Criminal Minds actor Nicholas Brendon was arrested on Monday for trashing his hotel room and doing a runner.

Police reports obtained by TMZ say that Brendon did damage worth $450 (£293) to the hotel room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and racked up a food-and-alcohol bill worth $380 (£247).

Brendon, who had been in Fort Lauderdale for Shock Pop Comiccon, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft.

Brendon played Xander in long-running TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

After the incident, Brendon tweeted: "Hey Twatters! I'm stuck in Ft Lauderdale w/no per diem. No hotel. No ride to the airport. Thanks @Shockpopcc."

"Nicholas is, unfortunately, battling a disease that many of us don't understand," his representatives said. "He's sorry for his actions."

His spokesperson continued: "While attending Shock Pop Comicon in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Nicholas was placed into a deplorable situation involving his professional arrangements and chose to react in an adverse manner. This reaction led to his arrest on Monday.

"We are aware that Nicholas' actions are of a much deeper origin - and we are working toward creating a healthy environment for him to thrive in.

"The past several months have been trying, and Nicholas' disease is damaging and consistently misunderstood. We are doing everything in our power at Camp Nick to assure his recovery."

Brendon has been to rehab several times, most recently in 2014 when he said he was going back to address his addiction to sleeping pills and alcohol.