Thursday night, fans in Valparaiso, Indiana were left feeling disappointed after learning Chicago rapper Twista would not be making a scheduled performance at the venue Big Shots because he was detained and arrested while on the way to the show.
“Disappointing..great show though..screw you Porter County!! #critical219 #twista312 #bigshotsvalpo,” one fan vented on the show’s event page.
According to reports, the 42-year-old rapper, whose real name is Carl Mitchell, was arrested after the Rolls Royce Phantom he was riding in got pulled over by authorities for following an SUV too closely. Upon approaching the vehicle, Cpl. Paul Czupryn detected the smell of marijuana and questioned the car’s driver Johnnie Euell. Euell reportedly admitted that the group had smoked marijuana shortly before being pulled over. Officers then searched the vehicle and found half an ounce of weed hidden inside a fake can that no one would admit to owning.
Twista, Euell, and the car’s other two occupants, Michael Moore and Darrin Woody, were all then arrested on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. All four men were later released on $500 cash bonds.
After his release from jail, Twista issued a statement criticizing the authorities for not focusing on “more serious” crimes.
“I think the Indiana police could of spent the tax payers’ money arresting someone else with a more serious crime other than me,” he said. “This is 2016, getting arrested for weed is like getting arrested for jay walking.”
Authorities allege the arrest was made after heightened patrols of the area due to the concert and previous incidents of violence at a prior show by Twista and another artist, Montana of 300, whom was also scheduled to appear at the venue. Almost 50 officers from various surrounding counties converged on the area to take part in the elevated patrols.
“This saturation patrol detail was to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Porter County,” said Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds.
As for the eager concertgoers awaiting Twista’s performance, officers say the crowd dispersed peacefully with no incident after learning that his appearance was canceled.
