Wyclef Jean Says He Was Handcuffed by the LAPD for ‘Absolutely Nothing’ (Video)

“Black man with red bandana robbed a gas station as I was in the studio working but im in handcuffs?” tweets rapper

Wyclef Jean
Getty Images

Rapper Wyclef Jean says he was handcuffed by the Los Angeles Police Department for doing “absolutely nothing” and that it was another case of “mistaken identity.”

“LAPD another case of mistaken identity. Black man with red bandana robbed a gas station as I was in the studio working but im in handcuffs?” he wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning, along with video in which he explains he was coming from the studio with fellow artist T-Baby.

“LAPD have me in cuffs for absolutely nothing,” wrote the rapper.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, specifically the West Hollywood Division, has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment. However, authorities told the New York Daily News that a suspect robbed a person at gunpoint and stole their wallet at about 1 a.m. at a West Hollywood gas station.

The victim provided a description of the suspect and the victim, and Jean’s vehicle fit the description. “Jean not only had a similar appearance to the suspect, but he also had a red bandana like the suspect,” Sgt. Walker told the publication.

According to the Daily News, Jean was released after the artist was deemed not a suspect. A press release will be issued in the coming hours.

In a series of followup tweets, the rapper explained, “I was asked by the police to Put my hands up. Then I was told do not move. I was instantly hand cuffed before being asked to identify myself. Nor was I told why I was being cuffed. In the process I said my name and told them they have wrong person.”

He added, “They proceeded to ignore me and I was treated like a criminal until other police showed up and pointed out they had wrong person,” before claiming he was “appalled” by the behavior of the LAPD.

T-Baby told the Daily News that Jean left the studio at about 1 a.m.

“Next I hear there’s police with guns and he’s in handcuffs for ‘mistaken identity’ because he’s black and wearing a ‘bandana’ aka a Haitian flag,” T-Baby said. “This story is sad and redundant. When did guns and handcuffs become a perquisite [sic] of questioning?”

Watch Jean’s video below.

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