Grammy-nominated singer Akon was arrested in metro Atlanta last week after police spotted his Tesla Cybertruck and discovered he had an active warrant, officials confirmed.
According to the Chamblee Police Department, the 52-year-old artist — whose real name is Aliaune Badara Thiam — was taken into custody on November 7 and booked into the DeKalb County Jail around 12:30 p.m. He was released about six hours later without any new charges announced.
Police Spot the Cybertruck at Tint Shop
Officers were alerted just after 11 a.m. Friday when a Flock camera, part of a citywide license plate reader network, flagged a white 2024 Tesla Cybertruck registered to someone with an outstanding bench warrant.
Police traced the truck to Tint World, a car window tint shop on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, and arrived to find Akon standing beside the vehicle.
After confirming his identity through his driver’s license photo, officers informed the singer about the warrant. Police say Akon cooperated fully, remaining calm and compliant as he was handcuffed and searched. No weapons or illegal items were found.
The Cybertruck, which was reportedly in for service, was not impounded. Officers transported Akon to the DeKalb County Jail, then later to the Smyrna City Jail, where he was booked on a failure to appear charge related to a suspended driver’s license.
The Warrant’s Backstory
The latest arrest ties back to an earlier Roswell Police Department incident on September 10.
Police say Akon was found stranded in his Cybertruck on Holcomb Bridge Road around noon after the battery died. When officers ran his license, they discovered it was suspended for a prior failure to appear dating back to January 2023.
He was cited for driving with a suspended license, and the vehicle was impounded. Officers also seized what they described as an illegal vape found in the center console.
Two months later, the bench warrant stemming from that case led to his November arrest in Chamblee.
A History of Legal Run-Ins
While Akon’s latest arrest appears to be a relatively minor issue, it’s not his first brush with the law.
In 1998, he spent several months in jail on car theft charges that were eventually dropped. Then in 2008, he pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment after tossing a teenage fan off a stage during a New York concert. He received a fine and community service.
Despite occasional controversies, Akon remains one of the most recognizable voices of the 2000s, thanks to hits like “Locked Up,” “Smack That,” “Lonely,” and “Soul Survivor.” He’s also gained international attention for his philanthropic and energy projects across Africa.
What’s Next for Akon
Police haven’t said when Akon is due back in court or if further charges might be filed.
Meanwhile, the singer’s career hasn’t slowed down. He’s currently on a tour of India, performing in Delhi on November 9, followed by shows in Bengaluru on November 14 and Mumbai on November 16. After his international dates, he’s scheduled to perform in Las Vegas on January 3, 2026.
