Rapper Wyclef Jean was briefly handcuffed early this morning after being stopped by West Hollywood Sheriff’s deputies on West Knoll Drive who were investigating an armed robbery.
After a brief questioning, Jean was released when deputies determined he wasn’t one of the suspects in the robbery. The handcuffing was captured on video and posted by Wyclef Jean with a video on his Twitter page @WyclefJean, along with his complaints about the incident, erroneously citing the Los Angeles Police Department.
“LAPD another case of mistaken identity. Black man with red bandana robbed a gas station as I was in the studio working but im in handcuffs?
“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.
TMZ reported : “As for how he ended up in handcuffs — we’re told one of the women got out of the vehicle abruptly, and while talking to deputies, Wyclef reached toward his waistband. Deputies put on the cuffs for about six minutes while they sorted this out.”
TMZ.com said Jean’s car, which included two female passengers — one of them his manager — was pulled over because it matched the description of a car used in an armed robbery around the same time in the same neighborhood, and Jean was wearing a red bandanna, which was part of the description of one of the suspects.
The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station issued a statement this morning explaining the incident:
“Several deputies responded to the violent crime call at 12:46 a.m., looking for what the two victims reportedly described as either a gold or tan Toyota or Honda, older model sedan with paper license plates. The two victims, a man and a women, reported they were standing in the parking lot of a popular store in the 8900 block of West Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood when the suspect, a male Black adult, allegedly walked up to them, pointed a firearm at them and demanded they give him everything they had. The suspect is alleged to have traumatized the two victims by pressing the firearm onto the male’s temple and pistol whipping them both. The victims, fearing for their lives, gave the suspect their possessions containing identification and money.
“The suspect then fled the scene by entering the front passenger side of a vehicle driven by another unknown suspect, who the victims’ could only describe race. The suspects’ vehicle was seen driving north on Hilldale Avenue, then east on Sunset Boulevard and south on San Vicente Boulevard until it was out of view.
“The distraught victims called 9-1-1 and during deputies’ search for the suspects, the vehicle Mr. Jean was travelling in as a front passenger, a 2002 tan Toyota with Michigan license plates, was observed travelling on La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevard heading south, a short distance from the crime scene. Deputies followed that vehicle briefly before the vehicle pulled over along the 700 block of West Knoll Drive, apparently reaching its intended destination.
“As deputies approached the vehicle, the occupants – driver and front passenger, almost simultaneously began to exit the vehicle. It was at this time that the deputies attempted to detain who they believed to be the suspect of the violent crime, Mr. Jean.
“Due to the violent nature of the call (armed robbery), the similarity of the suspect vehicle to Mr. Jean’s vehicle, the time of day of the unfolding detention and Mr. Jean’s furtive movements and demeanor, he was handcuffed. It is reported that Mr. Jean’s furtive movements included actions such as once he exited the vehicle, he started to walk towards the trunk of the car, questioning why he could not get his things out of his trunk, even though he was clearly instructed by deputies not to approach the trunk. Mr. Jean was also ordered several times not to place his hands near his pockets or his waistband.
“Out of an abundance of caution, a pat down search for weapons was also conducted of Mr. Jean’s person and he was subsequently secured inside the backseat of a patrol vehicle.
“Within approximately six minutes, deputies confirmed that Mr. Jean and the female driver were not the suspects in the armed robbery. Although the initial suspect description in the call given by the victims stated that the suspect wore a dark colored hoodie, further description obtained from the victims during the investigation by deputies revealed that the suspect’s hoodie was possibly grey and that the suspect may also have a red or grey bandana draped around his neck. Mr. Jean wore a dark colored shirt and a red and blue bandana on his head. Upon the discovery and verification of this additional information, the reasonable detention of Mr. Jean immediately ended.
“A supervisor, who was on scene from the very beginning of Mr. Jean’s detention, explained to Mr. Jean about the investigation being conducted and the reasons behind his lawful detention. The supervisor, a sergeant with the sheriff’s department for approximately 17 years, presented her department issued business card to Mr. Jean and offered Mr. Jean the opportunity to discuss the matter further if he so desired. Mr. Jean accepted the business card. “
“A short time later, another vehicle fitting the description of the suspect vehicle in the call was observed approximately four blocks from Mr. Jean’s detention. That vehicle, being driven by a female Black adult and occupied by a male Black adult front passenger wearing a dark grey hoodie was also stopped under similar context. That vehicle reportedly contained the suspects who are allegedly connected to the armed robbery. Deputies report that a loaded firearm was found concealed inside the vehicle, a 1995 tan/gold Acura with paper plates, and the property stolen from both victims was also recovered during the investigation, detention and subsequent arrest. It should be noted that during the detention of these suspects detention, safety measures were also exercised, as the suspects were handcuffed and secured in the backseat of a patrol vehicle pending further investigation.”
Torrion Falconer, a 26 year-old black man and a resident of Lancaster, was arrested and booked at West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station for several charges including robbery, former convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and having a loaded firearm concealed in a vehicle. Dejuan Hooper, the 30 year-old female driver of the car and a resident of Inglewood, was also arrested and booked at West Hollywood Station for robbery and possession of a controlled substance. ”
Both suspects are being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Since this writing, neither Mr. Jean nor his representatives have personally contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the actual agency whose deputies reasonably and lawfully detained him.
Video from ANG News:
I couldn’t agree with you more Woody. The cops in this case had no idea who this guy was only that he fit the description given to them by the victim of the crime. If this guy had simply complied with their instructions, he would have been on his way in no time. It surprises me to see what so many of us learned as kids…if you get pulled over by the police, you stay in your vehicle, you answer all questions politely and provide identification, etc. as instructed. With people refusing to give identification or getting out of your… Read more »
JJ I agree. Besides while doing what was appropriate under the circumstances, their own lives could be in danger while doing their job. I think law enforcement should be called to account when they do something inappropriate & wrong & also be commended for doing their job well. Public safety depends on them
Yes Lily Day they are just doing their job , and if they do it right and know the difference between a distinct description like “paper” license plate it may not have happened. @JJ , Wyclef Jean did comply because he got out of his car to drawn guns, immediately apprehended and cuffed and one officer slapped the bandana off of his head (unnecessary). What the hell did he wrong, “don’t be like this guy? Don’t be stupid? What planet are you on? Wyclef has a family full of police officers. It’s the cops that need not be stupid. Paper… Read more »
He matched the victim discription. Had this guy complied with the sheriff’s directions when he was pulled over, he would have been on his way 1,2, 3. Thanks to the sheriff’s department for doing their job in trying to catch the low life that committed this crime. For all the good citizens out there, when an officer instructs you to do something – do it. It’s for your safety and theirs. Don’t be like this guy – don’t be stupid.
The LASD and City should have immediately come out with an apology to Wyclef Jean and others that were terrorized by the mistaken stop. Thankfully the situation was not escalated but it is a FAULT of the LASD and not “doing their job” as some idiots would like to claim. In addition, it is the JOB of LASD to correctly identify culprits of crime and not the job of citizens to memorize the difference between LASD and LAPD uniforms (sorry golden belt buckles, no one cares). The police and sheriffs need to expeditiously accept humility when they make mistakes and… Read more »
Totally inappropriate for the LASD to handle this situation like this. While responding to one incident where no one was hurt but “traumatized” they have now gone and traumatized another group of people because they failed to accurately match the description of the vehicle involved in the incident was not the vehicle from Wyclef Jean. LASD and the City should immediately submit a public apology and investigate how to avoid such incidents in the future.
If this guy cant tell the difference betweer LAPD wearing dark blue uniforms amd LAPD logo on their cars, and tand and green LASD with a big gold sheriff logo, how the Weho deputies could tell the difference between him and another crook who matched the description by the victim?
Police just doing their job ! Thank You!