R&B singer The Weeknd arrested, released in Las Vegas
R&B singer The Weeknd was arrested over the weekend after a brawl on the Strip in which a cop got punched in the face, according to Las Vegas police.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was booked about 5:50 a.m. Saturday on charges of battery on a protected person, according to an arrest report.
Officers had responded to a call about a fight involving 30 people in the lobby of Drai’s Nightclub at the Cromwell boutique hotel, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. at 4:42 a.m., according to the arrest report.
The singer had performed there Friday night.
Police said they moved The Weeknd into an elevator to separate him from the fight when he punched an officer.
Officers were holding back a crowd when the officer was struck in the face, the report said. The singer’s friends then tried to pull him away from police, but he was arrested and jailed.
The Weeknd has since been released.
About 6:49 p.m. Saturday, he tweeted “escape from las vegas.” He also posted a photo of himself about to board a plane on Instagram with the caption, “escaped from Las Vegas.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact reporter Cassandra Taloma at ctaloma@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @CassandraTaloma.
