Justin Bieber has been arrested in Miami Beach on suspicion of driving under the influence and drag racing.
The 19-year-old was apprehended at around 4am on Thursday morning (January 23) at Pine Tree Drive and 26th Street. He was driving a yellow Lamborghini, and the driver of a second car, a red Ferrari, was also arrested. Both vehicles have since been towed. The second person arrested is believed to be R&B singer Khalil, who had earlier posted an image of Bieber in a yellow Lamborghini on Instagram. Miami Beach police chief Raymond Martinez told the Miami Herald that Bieber was incoherent and had his hands in his pockets, adding that the singer resisted arrest without violence.
“When the cars are going that fast, it takes a while to catch up,” Martinez added, also confirming that Bieber did not have a valid licence.
Police spokesman Sergeant Bobby Hernandez had earlier told local reporters that the teenage popstar “showed symptoms of someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol”. Sgt Hernandez added: “He was pulled over and failed a field sobriety test. He was then taken to the police station to be offered a breathalyser.” Bieber’s arrest comes a week after Bieber’s home in California was searched by police following reports of an egg-throwing incident. His friend Lil Za was taken into custody on suspicion of narcotics possession, but was subsequently released.
Bieber’s mother Pattie Mallette was recently quoted as saying that she prays for him every day, adding: “If Justin’s struggling, don’t kick him when he’s down or condemn him.” The singer made headlines on Christmas Day when he appeared to suggest he would be retiring from the music industry. However, he was photographed on New Year’s Day at a Toronto recording studio, and producer Douglas Romanow claimed that he had been working with Bieber on new material.
