Mike Pont/WireImageIn a case of mistaken identity, Wyclef Jean was handcuffed by sheriff’s deputies in the early hours of Tuesday morning in L.A. — and now the producer and artist is threatening to sue.
According to KABC-TV, a robbery was reported at an L.A. gas station at 1 a.m., and witnesses described the suspects as two pedestrians who drove off in an either gold or tan Toyota. One suspect was a black male wearing a red bandana. About 25 minutes later, deputies stopped Wyclef Jean, who was driving a car with a similar description — and he also was wearing a red bandana.
While the artist cooperated, he was handcuffed and detained until it was determined that he was not the suspect. Wyclef then posted video of the incident on his Instagram account with the caption, “Why am I in Handcuffs!!!!!????? This is what I said to the LAPD after they put me in Handcuffs for mistaken identity !!!!!!!” In the video, Clef says, “Just so you know, I am going to sue the LAPD.”
It later emerged that the gas station was not robbed — two pedestrians were pistol-whipped by the suspects in front of the gas station. The actual suspects were arrested at 1:45am.
Clef later issued a statement saying, ” 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 and before being told why. In the process I said my name and told them they have wrong person. They proceeded to ignore me and I was treated like a criminal.”
He added, “I am sure no father wants his sons or daughters to see him in Handcuffs especially if he is innocent. As some one who has law enforcers in my family, I was appalled by the behavior of the LAPD.”
It’s worth noting that it was sheriff’s deputies, not the LAPD, who cuffed the singer. Deputies reportedly gave Wyclef a business card with the number of the West Hollywood sheriff in case he had any questions.
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