InstagramLas Vegas police are investigating Chris Brown for possible misdemeanor battery and theft after a woman claimed he assaulted her and took her cell phone during an altercation at a party in a hotel room.
The 26-year-old R&B star was not arrested or charged with a crime. His rep told E! News in a statement that the woman's accusations are "completely false." She has not commented publicly. Brown has undergone much legal turmoil involving other incidents over the past six years, including a 2009 attack against Rihanna, and his probation ended last March.
Police said that on Saturday morning, they were notified about a report of battery that had allegedly occurred inside a hotel suite at the Palms Casino Resort. Officers arrived at the scene and encountered a woman who "appeared to have minor injuries sustained as a result of a battery." They said an investigation indicated she had attended a party inside a hotel room and that an altercation took place over a cell phone when she went to take a picture of Brown.
"The victim was alleged to have been battered by Brown, who at the same time took her cell phone," police said in a statement.
"A crime report has been taken for misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor battery listing Mr. Brown as a suspect," the statement read, adding that the investigation was ongoing and that detectives have not been able to contact the singer.
His rep told E! News the woman made "false accusations" against Brown and that she was escorted out of the private party "for being disruptive and out of control."
"Once she was in the hallway, while waiting for Chris Brown's security to bring out her phone, she had a total meltdown-throwing her purse to the ground and claiming that she 'could buy everyone in the hotel'—as witnessed by numerous people waiting to get into the party," the rep said. "The Palms Casino Resort security also saw her wild behavior via hotel security cameras and immediately came up to the hallway to escort her out of the hotel."
"Her claim that she had her phone in her possession inside the after party and was able to take a photo causing an altercation with Chris Brown is a complete fabrication," the rep continued, adding that the woman's statements are "completely false and not based in reality."
Brown himself also posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
"Keeping my circle small in 2016! I'm done taking the care of grown ass men," he said. "And I'm going to be hella rich after all the lawsuits I file from these crazy individuals who keep lying on my name. Happy NEW YEAR! Time for some of us to grow the f--k up!"
In 2012, Brown was accused of snatching a woman's cell phone after she allegedly tried to take his photo outside a Miami club. The case was later dismissed.
—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua