Felipe Andres Coronel, better known as socially conscious rapper Immortal Technique, isn’t a fan of the street T-shirt vendors that many of us have grown accustomed to seeing as we leave concert venues.
In fact, as the LA Times reports, Coronel was arrested shortly before a show in Santa Ana on Thursday on suspicion of attacking and robbing two men for selling shirts bearing his image and pocketing the profits.
The 37-year-old rapper, who was set to perform alongside fellow rapper Talib Kweli that evening, and Steven McDaniel, 40, of Mission Viejo, were allegedly part of a group of 10 to 12 people who confronted the vendors outside The Observatory.
According to Santa Ana police, the men were selling shirts with the trademarked Immortal Technique logo at about 7:45pm when they were confronted by Coronel and his group.
“The group confronted them over a dispute that the group was not receiving any money from the sales of the T-shirts,” a police statement said. “The victims stated they were beaten and had their T-shirts, cash and cellphones forcibly taken from them.”
The vendors identified Coronel and McDaniel as two of the attackers and both were arrested on suspicion of robbery and attempting to dissuade a witness. However, no stolen items were found on the duo.
According to MTV, oth Coronel and McDaniel have since posted $50,000 bail and have been released from jail. Despite the interruption, the show reportedly went ahead as scheduled and the street vendors will likely find a new spot to do their business.
Taking to Twitter, Coronel was in good spirit about the whole ordeal, writing, “Recently my name has been thrown around and I appreciate the calls from friends, family and global supporters.”
“I am going to take the opportunity to make an official statement very soon. One thing I will say is that I believe this convoluted media hype was instrumental in bringing several people whom I love and lost touch with back in my life.”
“I appreciate the thousands of messages of support. I am humbled beyond belief. I look forward to finishing this sold out tour and setting things straight. Thank you & God Bless.”
Kweli also weighed in on the situation, tweeting, “Fuck Santa Ana police. For real. They arrested my tour manager last night for something he ain’t do, got his face on the news. Fuck them.”
“Fuck Santa Ana police. For real. They arrested my tour manager last night for something he ain't do, got his face on the news. Fuck them.”
Recently my name has been thrown around and I appreciate the calls from friends, family and global supporters. I am going to take the
— IG: TechImmortal (@ImmortalTech) March 28, 2015
Opportunity to make an official statement very soon. One thing I will say is that I believe this convoluted media hype was instrumental in
— IG: TechImmortal (@ImmortalTech) March 28, 2015
Bringing several people whom I love and lost touch with back in my life. I appreciate the thousands of messages of support. I am humbled
— IG: TechImmortal (@ImmortalTech) March 28, 2015
Beyond belief. I look forward to finishing this sold out tour and setting things straight. Thank you & God Bless.
— IG: TechImmortal (@ImmortalTech) March 28, 2015
Fuck Santa Ana police. For real. They arrested my tour manager last night for something he ain't do, got his face on the news. Fuck them.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 28, 2015
Fuck Santa Ana police. For real. They arrested my tour manager last night for something he ain't do, got his face on the news. Fuck them.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 28, 2015