Justin Bieber was being investigated by police today over a claim of attempted robbery, after he allegedly snatched a woman’s phone during a game of mini-golf.
The 20-year-old star was playing with his entourage in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, when he reportedly saw a woman who appeared to be about to take a photo. He is said to have grabbed her phone and screamed at her.
A spokeswoman for Los Angeles Police Department said officers plan to interview the woman who made the complaint, and may question Bieber.
According to website TMZ, the woman said Beiber demanded to see her phone so he could delete any pictures. When she refused, he went into her bag and took it, she claimed, and she began to wrestle with him to get it back. The Canadian singer was unable to look at any pictures because the phone was locked, and allegedly demanded that she unlock it so that he could see. The woman said she showed him she had not in fact taken any pictures.
Celebrity police mugshots: in pictures
Then, when she told him she and her daughter, 13, had just wanted to say hello, he reportedly screamed: “You’re humiliating yourself in front of your daughter. Why don’t you just get out of here,” making the child cry.
It follows Bieber’s appearance at a Los Angeles Clippers game on Sunday, when he was booed by thousands of basketball fans. He looked dismayed as the crowd at the Staples Center voiced its derision when his face was pictured on the “jumbotron” giant TV as he sat with mother Pattie Mallette.
The pop star has had several run-ins with police in recent months. In January, he was arrested for allegedly drink-driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid licence in Miami Beach. He was said to have been racing a yellow Lamborghini at 4am with the street blocked by two black SUVs. A trial is due to start in July.
Also in January, police searched his home after he allegedly pelted his neighbour’s house with eggs in Calabasas, California. Three weeks ago he was questioned by customs officials at LA International Airport but was released after four hours.
