Above: Justin Bieber has been making a name for himself lately for all the wrong reasons. Eric Sorensen reports.
TORONTO — Canadian pop star Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida early Thursday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, drag racing and driving with an expired license.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., Bieber appeared via video link before Judge Joseph P. Farina. Bail was set at $2,500.
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Bieber was allegedly behind the wheel of a rented yellow 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo pulled over by officers shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Pine Tree Drive, a four-lane roadway with a tree-lined median in a mostly residential neighbourhood.
Bieber, who reportedly had a female passenger in the car, is accused of racing against a red 2009 Ferrari 16M driven by rapper Khalil Sharief — who was also arrested for DUI. Sharief’s bail was set at $1,000.
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Police said members of Bieber’s entourage used their vehicles to close down a stretch of the road.
Miami Beach Police Chief Ray Martinez said Bieber was allegedly driving at twice the posted speed limit.
Police claim Bieber was incoherent and belligerent when an officer asked him to step out of the vehicle.
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According to the arrest report, Bieber asked Officer Fulgencio Medina: “Why the f*** are you doing this? What the f*** did I do? Why did you stop me?”
The officer claimed he “immediately smelled an odour of alcohol emanating from the driver’s breath and bloodshot eyes.”
When he went to pat Bieber down, the singer allegedly said: “I ain’t got no f***ing weapons. Why do you have to search me? What the f*** is this about?”
When Bieber was taken into custody by Medina and Officer Daniel Molina, he reportedly said: “What the f*** are you doing?”
Police allege the teen was under the influence of marijuana, prescription medication and alcohol.
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The arrest report erroneously lists Bieber’s place of birth as Toronto (he was born in London, Ont.).
The luxury sports car was rented from Lou La Vie, where daily fees range from $1,200 to $1,800. It is not known who rented the Lamborghini, since Bieber is too young to rent a vehicle in Florida. An employee told Global News there was “no comment right now.”
Bieber’s expired license was issued in Georgia, where he lived after moving from Canada. After turning 18, he purchased a home in a gated community in California.
Late Wednesday, Bieber and his entourage showed up at SET nightclub in Miami Beach. A source told Global News he ordered Red Bulls and sat with his shirt off in a VIP area.
The legal drinking age in Florida is 21.
BELOW: Watch video footage of Bieber in the yellow Lamborghini earlier in the evening and later when it is pulled over by police – Credit: TMZ.
Bieber arrived in the Miami area earlier this week on a private jet following a ski vacation in Aspen. On Monday night, he dropped by Mansion nightclub in Miami Beach and attended a party at the King of Diamonds strip club in Miami.
The singer’s father Jeremy Bieber flew in mid-week to spend time with him. The two were seen out on the beach behind their luxury South Beach hotel on Wednesday with Sharief.
Bieber was also spotted rolling around on a rented Segway and spent time at a skateboard park owned by rapper Lil Wayne.
The penalty for a first-time DUI conviction in Florida is up to six months in jail. A drag racing conviction carries a maximum $1,000 fine and a one-year driver’s license suspension.
BELOW: Watch Miami Beach Police Chief Ray Martinez talk about Bieber’s arrest.
Bieber was pulled over about eight kilometres from where Rob Ford — now mayor of Toronto — was pulled over 15 years ago and arrested on suspicion of DUI and possession of marijuana. Ford was fined and ordered to perform community service.
Bieber’s arrest comes a week after his Los Angeles mansion was raided Jan. 14 as part of a felony vandalism investigation involving an alleged egging of his neighbour’s house. Though Bieber has not been arrested, police said he remains a suspect.
Various reports have alleged Bieber has a drug problem and those in his camp are urging him to seek treatment.
Police in Opa-locka, Florida launched an internal investigation this week after video surfaced online showing Bieber and his entourage being escorted from a private airport by two police cruisers. The officers involved could face disciplinary action.
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