Due to the true suspect's social media photo, Pennsylvania police falsely accused rapper Lil Uzi Vert of stealing puppies.
Police from the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department issued a bulletin after a cute dog was taken from the Brookside Pups pet business in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, on Thursday in an effort to catch the thief.
The message said, "Stolen ruby-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, from Brookside Pups on Kidder St. last seen going on the turnpike believed to be heading to Philadelphia." It was shared with their 98,000 Facebook followers.
“The license plate for the vehicle does not belong on the vehicle and is believed to be stolen. Any sightings of this vehicle, dog or individual is asked to call 911,” the statement added.
Authorities posted a picture of the missing puppy along with a picture of the suspect, identified as Lil Uzi Vert on the notice.
Cops recognized their error of confusing the Money Longer hitmaker for the true culprit, who also wore face tattoos, as witnesses started to notice the enormous error.
“The original photo of the male provided by the establishment was not the correct male,” the police department posted on its Facebook page.
“This current photo is the actor in question. We apologize for the error and any confusion.”
TMZ claims that the suspect misidentified himself to the police because he had used Lil Uzi Vert's visage as his social media profile picture.
The rapper's management company, Roc Nation, warned police severely after the mix-up.
“The Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department should be embarrassed and ashamed for disparaging [Uzi’s] character,” the Jay-Z co-founded firm said.
“This grave error could’ve had significant repercussions on Uzi’s career and epitomizes how Black men can be wrongfully charged and arrested by police departments across the country,” the company added.
“Uzi loves all animals and this serious mistake has deterred the apprehension of the kidnapper. Our collective hope is that the puppy is safely and promptly rescued.”