Offset was detained by Beverly Hills Police after driving through a Donald Trump support demonstration on Saturday, Oct 24. Cardi B‘s cousin, a passenger in the car, was arrested.
In a statement from the BHPD, they confirmed that Cardi’s 20-year-old cousin, Marcel Almanzar, was arrested on two charges of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded firearm in public. The bond for Almanzar was set for $35,000.
“On 10/24/2020, at approximately 5:02 PM, Beverly Hills Police received information from a passerby of a subject who pointed a weapon from a vehicle at him; in the area of South Santa Monica Blvd and N. Beverly Drive,” the statement read. It continued, “The passerby provided a license plate to the vehicle, and the vehicle was stopped by patrol units a short distance away. After the on-scene investigation, the passenger in the vehicle was arrested. The victim of the crime did not desire to press charges for the pointing of the weapon.”
“There have been media reports that entertainer Offset was arrested,” the statement noted. “Those reports are inaccurate.”
Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was detained while recording the incident on Instagram Live. The clip, which circulated on social media almost instantly, showed the rapper arguing with several police officers and being pulled out of his car after refusing to exit his vehicle when asked to by police.
During the Live session, an off-camera officer asked the Migos member why he wouldn’t exit his car, to which Offset responded, “Because you’ve got guns out.”
“That’s my choice,” the officer retorted. Offset responds, “I’m not going to move my hands from the steering wheel.”
Police continued to no avail to ask the star to leave his vehicle. “We were told that you guys were waving guns,” a female officer said. “I’m a celebrity. You know who I am?” the rapper replied. “I’m Offset from the Migos. They’re fans, that’s why they’re following me, bro.”
“That has nothing to do with why we’re here,” the female officer told him. “We were told that you guys were waving guns at people.” Offset then explained that someone “beat my car with a flag.” Soon afterward a male officer was seen pulling the rapper out of his car.
Earlier that day, Cardi recorded herself while driving through a similar rally, saying that she “was scared.” She added, “I really feel like we’re going to get jumped. Trump supporters are everywhere. I’m scared.” While the “WAP” rapper was not in the car with Offset at the time of the traffic stop, she did show up as he was being detained in handcuffs. In a clip captured by onlookers, Cardi could be heard screaming and telling authorities that Offset is her husband as she demanded to know why he was being held. The Trump demonstrators were milling about on the street and sidewalk in the background as the encounter played out.
Offset subsequently was released, and apparently he faces no charges in connection with the incident.
News of Offset’s run-in with law enforcement comes after the rapper recently appeared in a PSA spreading awareness on voting laws that would allow former felons to vote in the upcoming general election.
“This election will be my 1st time voting,” he tweeted. “I never thought I could because of my felony record. I’m proud to finally vote. Go to https://usa.gov/register-to-vote… to register. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay.”
