Rapper 'Immortal Technique' arrested after alleged beating, robbery of T-shirt sellers

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Rapper Immortal Technique was arrested after a violent confrontation with two individuals who were selling T-shirts with his trademarked logo, Santa Ana police said Friday.

Felipe Andres Coronel, aka Immortal Technique, is shown in a booking photo released by Santa Ana police on March 27, 2015.

The rapper, whose full name was given by police as Felipe Andres Coronel, and another man were taken into custody in connection with a Thursday evening dispute that occurred at the concert venue the Observatory OC.

Officers were called to a report of an assault and robbery at 3600 South Susan Street (map), around the corner from the Harbor Boulevard venue, about 7:45 p.m., according to a news release from the Santa Ana Police Department.

Two victims told police they were selling T-shirts with Immortal Technique’s trademarked logo on them. The rapper was slated to perform with Talib Kweli at the Observatory that evening, with doors opening at 7 p.m., according to the venue’s website.

The two individuals alleged they were confronted by a group of 10 to 12 members of Immortal Technique’s entourage, then had their T-shirts, cash and cellphones forcibly taken from them.

They were beaten, the duo said.

The dispute was over the rapper not receiving money from the T-shirt sales, police said.

Coronel, 37, of New York City, was arrested without incident, along with Steven Alexander McDaniel, 40, Mission Viejo.

They were booked on suspicion of robbery and attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness from reporting a crime, police said.

The concern went ahead as planned, videos posted to Instagram showed.

Police said they allowed Coronel to perform to avoid causing problems with the audience, the Orange County Register reported. The show was sold out, according to the newspaper.

The stolen merchandise was not located, police said.

Coronel was released at 1:45 p.m. Friday, county inmate records showed. McDaniel, whose occupation was listed in inmate records as tour manager, was released a few minutes earlier.

Immortal Technique was slated to perform in Tempe, Arizona, Friday evening.