Yahoo Finance Rapper Polo G arrested in Miami after a struggle, police say. His mother is not pleased.
Rapper Polo G, born Taurus Bartlett, was arrested and booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 8 a.m. Saturday on several charges, including battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence and criminal mischief.
According to jail records, the 22-year-old, Chicago-born Bartlett’s bond on the five charges totals $19,500.
According to a police report obtained by the Miami Herald, the car Bartlett was in was pulled over in the area of Biscayne Boulevard and Southeast First Street around 12:30 a.m.
The car was pulled over for an unspecified “traffic infraction.”
What the police report says
According to the report, Officer Brandon Carrero allegedly got into a struggle with Bartlett, according to witnessing officer Joseph Acuna.
Carrero and Bartlett “ended up in a struggle on the ground” and while Carrero was trying to handcuff Bartlett he was struck multiple times in the head, chin, forehead and cheek, according to the arrest report.
The report also says Acuna saw Bartlett atop the officer, swinging his elbows and making contact with Carrero who, the report says, has “multiple injuries.” The report lists an abrasion to the right upper forehead area, chin and swollen and slightly bruised right cheek area.
According to the report, after Bartlett was in custody he shouted to the officer, “I will kill you, I swear I will use these fists to beat the shit out of you and knock your ass out.”
On Saturday afternoon, Miami police Officer Michael Vega issued a release on Bartlett’s arrest, along with the arrest reports.
Bartlett was charged with battery on a police officer, threats to a public servant, resisting an officer with violence to his person, resisting an officer without violence to his person and criminal mischief.
Other people, whose names were redacted on the released reports, were also arrested and face charges including driving with a suspended license, no valid driver’s license, resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct/breach of peace.
Police did not say how many were arrested. Vega’s release did say the incident was captured on “myriad” body cameras and surveillance cameras.
“The department has initiated a review of this incident, which will include an examination of all camera footage to insure adherence to departmental policy and law,” the release said. “The department has also launched an investigation on several threats received against our personnel and facilities by unknown individuals in response to the arrest of Mr. Bartlett.”
Bartlett’s bond was submitted, according to court records.
His mother’s reaction
In a video posted to Instagram, Polo G’s mother and manager, Stacia Mac, said that Miami police pulled over Polo G and his younger brother while they were riding in a car with security after an album release party for his latest, “Hall of Fame,” which was released Friday by Columbia. She said police have “made it difficult for her to check on her children.”
“My kids called me in a frenzy saying the police are behind them, 20 cars behind them,” she said, adding that “They refused to let me speak to my minor son, who is 16-years-old.”
Polo G and his brother were headed to an after-party, according to his mother’s post. “They stopped them because they were driving while Black,” she said.
She also posted on Twitter:
None of these charges would be possible if the POLICE did not make contact with my son Polo G!!! He was NOT the driver. He was a PASSENGER in a professionally licensed vehicle with security. He was moving smart and correctly. What more could he have done. https://t.co/pXSgxP0ukz
— Stacia.mac (@StaciaMac1) June 12, 2021
More Twitter reaction
Around 8 a.m. Saturday, Miami police initially tweeted that they are “aware of the incident involving Mr. Taurus Bartlett, also known as Polo G, and another male juvenile. We will provide updates as they become available.”
The post on Saturday morning generated comments from fans.
“Polo G, his girlfriend, little sister and minor brother were all harassed by Miami police and arrested!”
“#FreePoloG.”
His brother is 16 and yall haven’t said anything about it yet and it’s been hours since the arrest. Free The Capalots
— Polo G Fan Page (@ffspolo) June 12, 2021
Polo G’s hit albums, singles
Polo G’s third album, “Hall of Fame,” was released June 11. The album’s third single, “Rapstar,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 24 and become his first chart-topper. “Hall of Fame” was No. 9 on Apple Music’s album sales chart Saturday afternoon.
Polo G’s earlier singles include “Finer Things.” His second album, “The Goat” in 2020, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
This is a developing story and will be updated as details become available.
