Grammy-nominated hip-hop and R&B star, Akon, was arrested in Georgia, the United States, over the weekend after police issued a warrant connected to a vehicle registered in his name.
The singer, whose real name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, was approached by authorities on Friday, Nov. 7, after officers from the Chamblee Police Department received a wanted person alert for a white Tesla Cybertruck from the Roswell Police Department, according to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The Roswell Police Department indicated that the vehicle’s owner had been flagged due to a suspended license, as revealed in a separate investigation report also obtained by USA TODAY.
Upon tracing the vehicle to Tint World, an automotive styling shop, officers located a man who fit the description of the registered owner, the Chamblee report stated.
Police then ran the man’s driver’s license information and confirmed his identity as Akon.
“Officers then informed Akon of his arrest,” the report read, adding that the singer remained “calm” and told them he was aware of the warrant.
During the arrest, Akon, 52, was searched by officers, who reported finding no weapons or contraband on him.
The “Smack That” hitmaker was then transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he was handed over to detention officers.
According to DeKalb County jail records reviewed by USA TODAY, Akon was booked around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 and released later that same day at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The Roswell Police Department’s report indicated that the warrant originated from a Sept. 10 incident, when Akon’s Cybertruck was found stranded after its battery died. Officers contacted Akon, and upon checking his license, discovered it was suspended.
Akon was issued a citation for driving with a suspended license and released at the time due to what police described as “manpower issues in the city.”
USA TODAY reported that it had reached out to Akon’s representatives for comment.
