Rhymefest Gets Mugged In Chicago, Receives Apology For Police Response
Chicago rapper and songwriter Rhymefest, born Che Smith, was robbed at gunpoint on the South Side yesterday morning, The Chicago Tribune reports. According to the police report, a young man jumped into his parked car at approximately 7:35AM, pointed a gun at his head, and demanded his wallet. After he complied, the perp fled on foot and Rhymefest drove to a police station near his home to file a report.
Rhymefest took to Twitter to detail the incident and call for the robber to get in touch, apologize, and “talk to me like a brother.” He also tweeted out a video taken at the police station captioned “You wonder why we don’t report crimes? The police treated me disgustingly,” which shows a tense exchange between the rapper and several police officers. “We are disappointed with what we’ve seen and how Mr. Smith was treated, and the chief of patrol called him personally to apologize on behalf of the department,” says Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. “And Superintendent Johnson has directed the chief of patrol to ensure this matter is addressed today with the district.” Find Rhymefest’s tweets below.
To the young brother that put the gun to my head this morning & took my wallet. You don't know how you just damaged your community.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
It's 730am. you just put a gun in my face for $3 in my wallet. I defend you against police brutality, I work on your behalf you robbed me
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Until our communities have restorative Justice set up, you better make friends with a police officer.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
You don't know what you did! And who you did it to. I lived here on the southside because I thought it mattered. I'm reconsidering
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
You were gonna shoot me in the face for a wallet, I had the power to give you a job!
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
I'm not even mad, I'm fuckin' hurt.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
When you look in my Wallet & see the name Che Smith on the ID. DM me, yes contact me apologize and talk to me like a brother.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Give me faith that it's our desperation & not our hearts thatre dark. The man who robbed me I want to reach out to me If I know him tell him
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
You wonder we don't report crimes? The police treated me disgustingly pic.twitter.com/fY9VQrqDpz
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
@RHYMEFEST disappointing to say the least. On behalf of CPD, I apologize for how you were treated. We will be addressing this today.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) August 27, 2016
@AJGuglielmi I would like to bring young people I work with and help you find solutions to help better Police our communities.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016