Detectives search Bieber home in vandalism case
CALABASAS, Calif. (AP) — Detectives searched Justin Bieber's home looking for surveillance footage that might serve as evidence the pop star was involved in an egg-tossing vandalism case that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a neighbor's home, an official said Tuesday.
Roughly a dozen investigators searched Bieber's home and arrested one member of singer's entourage on suspicion of cocaine possession, Lt. David Thompson said.
The man's name was not immediately released, but Thompson said the cocaine was in plain view in Bieber's house when deputies arrived.
Bieber, 19, was at the home and cooperated with authorities but was not interviewed by detectives. Thompson said he expected the singer to speak with detectives when his attorney could be present.
"He has not been arrested, nor has he been exonerated," Thompson said of Bieber.
Thompson declined to describe what evidence detectives took from Bieber's home, but said the emphasis wasn't on what was in the pop star's refrigerator.
He said the house Bieber allegedly egged had custom wood and other expensive features and that several thousands of dollars in damage occurred. Thompson added that a judge authorized the search warrant.
The singer lives in a gated community in Calabasas, a celebrity enclave about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Four helicopters hovered over the neighborhood hours after the warrant was served.
An email message sent to Bieber's publicist Melissa Victor was not immediately returned.
Previous investigations into Bieber's conduct by the sheriff's department against the "Boyfriend" singer have not resulted in charges.
In October, prosecutors declined to charge Bieber after a neighbor complained he drove recklessly through the area. Prosecutors in November 2012 also declined to charge the singer after a paparazzo accused him of punching and hitting him after leaving a Calabasas movie theater.
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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP.
