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Rapper Tyler,The Creator Arrested On Vandalism Charges Following Show At The Roxy

WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — A rapper known as Tyler, the Creator was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism after allegedly trashing electronic equipment following a show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, authorities said Friday.

The 20-year-old rapper, whose real name is Tyler Gregory Okonma, was taken into custody after deputies were called to the business at 9009 Sunset Blvd. about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, said Sgt. Arthur Famble Jr. of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood Station.

Okonma was arrested following a show in which he appeared, according to TMZ.

"Deputies were contacted by security guards employed by the Roxy Entertainment Venue (who) stated that (Okonma) had just destroyed an electronic soundboard belonging to the Venue," Famble said. "Security guards ... were desirous of an arrest.

"Suspect Okonma exited the location and was placed under arrest by deputies for felony vandalism, due to the value of the electronic soundboard," Famble said. "As he was being escorted to a nearby radio car, the crowd exiting the venue became angry and rushed into the street towards the
deputies."

Other deputies were summoned to the scene for crowd control, and Sunset Boulevard was closed between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard for about half an hour, Famble said. No injuries were reported.

Okonma won MTV's Best New Artist Award in 2011.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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