It wasn’t exactly the kind of “off the chain” night that DMX anticipated. On Friday night, the 44-year-old rapper and actor was arrested by New York deputies on a slew of outstanding warrants. Rolling Stone reports that police snagged DMX late in the evening as he arrived for a concert at Radio City Music Hall. The show, featuring Ma$e, Shabba Ranks, and others, went on without DMX.
A spokesperson for the arresting agency noted that multiple outstanding issues led to the arrest, including an arrearage of $400,000 in outstanding child support. DMX also had pending warrants on charges of bail jumping, driving without a license, and robbery. As previously reported by the Inquisitr , DMX was accused of robbing a fan at gunpoint in early April. The victim in the case alleges that the rapper and his entourage stole over $3,200 in cash at gunpoint at a Newark gas station. In a report by Billboard , DMX’s lawyer Murray Richman refuted the robbery allegations.
“[DMX] was leaving a show… and he stopped for gas,” Richman said. “Four young men approached him for a photo. They took photos and they offered [DMX] drugs. He said no and told them to go… They had an argument and next thing you know, they are accusing him of robbery. Just nonsense.”
DMX — whose birth name is Earl Simmons — has run afoul of the law before, including an arrest in 2013 for possession of marijuana and a traffic violation. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of animal cruelty , drug possession, and theft.
The New York Daily News quoted a source present at the scene of DMX’s recent arrest, who said that deputies were waiting at Radio City Music hall for DMX to arrive.
“As soon as he stepped out of his vehicle, they grabbed him and drove off with him,” the source said.
Hot New Hip Hop indicates at least one witness reported that police drew weapons during the arrest. Video from the scene was posted to social media.
Breaking: DMX arrested again at Radio Music Hall because of Back Child Support pic.twitter.com/fb0eXfkB07
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) June 27, 2015
DMX has struggled with child support obligations in the past, according to the New York Daily News . In 2013, DMX unsuccessfully sought bankruptcy protection, citing his obligations as a significant drain on his personal finances. Just last month, a judge ordered that DMX’s earnings as a recording artist should be garnered in the amount of $15,000 per month to support his four children. Whether or not the garnishment ultimately went into effect prior to last night’s arrest is unclear, but whatever the case, the judgment was not enough to ultimately keep DMX out of the klink. Then again, his other legal entanglements aren’t doing him any favors with regard to being a dad or paying his bills.
[Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images]