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(Photo by Uri Schanker/Getty Images)
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TORONTO (AP) – Justin Bieber turned himself in to Toronto police on an assault charge Wednesday, the second arrest in a week for the baby-faced 19-year-old pop star.
Bieber arrived in the evening at a police station to a crush of media and screaming fans.
A police official said the charge has to do with an alleged assault on a limo driver in December. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
A spokesman for Bieber had no comment Wednesday.
Toronto police said in late December they were looking into allegations that a member of Bieber’s entourage assaulted a limo driver who was ferrying the Canadian pop star and several others. Police said at the time it was unclear whether Bieber was involved.
Bieber emerged from a black SUV wearing a winter coat and a backwards ball cap before being led through a throng of police and reporters. Many waited for his arrival for over an hour in freezing temperatures.
It was yet another sign of the crazy lifestyle that has taken over Bieber’s image.
- Justin Bieber in Miami mugshots
Earlier on Wednesday, Bieber pleaded not guilty in Florida to charges of driving under the influence after driving nearly twice the speed limit on a Miami Beach street. He also pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest and driving with an expired license.
The Canadian pop star lately has drawn more attention for his brushes with the law than for his music. His arrival at the Toronto police station was no different – the singer debuted a music video for his song “Confident” on Wednesday afternoon, just as news of his expected arrest was breaking.
Bieber remains under investigation for felony vandalism in Los Angeles County over an egg-tossing episode that damaged his neighbor’s home. Detectives searched his home on Jan. 14, and prosecutors have sought additional information before determining whether to pursue charges.
The cases have overshadowed the recent release of his latest album. Its reception has been far from the chart-topping success Bieber had after he debuted in 2009, with multiple platinum albums.
Last year, Bieber made headlines for everything from clashing with a paparazzo to fainting at a show to being photographed smoking marijuana. The paparazzo is suing Bieber for assault and battery.
German authorities charged him thousands of dollars after he abandoned a pet monkey that they seized from him for failing to have proper vaccination papers.
The singer also had to apologize to Bill Clinton after cursing the former president and spraying his photo with cleaning fluid in a New York City restaurant kitchen.
Bieber was discovered through a YouTube video of him performing, and his career has been guided by a pair of music industry heavyweights, singer Usher and manager Scooter Braun. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for his 2010 full-length album debut “My World 2.0,” but his popularity has waned.
Braun tweeted Wednesday evening, “i ask people to be kind and hope for the best in people. not assume the worst. Thanks.”
Jon Bollock, a 14-year-old fan waiting for Bieber to arrive outside the Toronto police station, said he wanted to see Bieber but said “it’s pretty embarrassing for Canada.”
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