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Police officer who arrested Justin Timberlake for drunk driving was so “young” that he didn’t recognize the pop star

The police officer who arrested Justin Timberlake for drunk driving in the Hamptons was reportedly so young that he did not recognize the superstar.

The 43-year-old ten-time Grammy winner was arrested at 12:17 a.m. Tuesday in the affluent Hamptons enclave of Sag Harbor on Long Island, known as a popular celebrity destination during the summer months. The pop star claimed to have only had “one martini,” according to a complaint filed by the New York Post.

Timberlake, who rose to fame as a Disney Mouseketeer before becoming one of the biggest pop stars of the 1990s and 2000s, appeared in a Long Island court on Tuesday and was released without bail, according to TMZ. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 26. A photo taken from his arrest has not been released, but photos show Timberlake in handcuffs at a local police station.

Police told the news agency that Timberlake was partying at the American Hotel and ignored a stop sign as he was leaving. Officers began chasing him and stopped him when he began swerving. The singer told police he was following his friends home.

Timberlake “scored poorly on all standardized sobriety tests” and repeatedly refused to submit to a breathalyzer test, the complaint states.

Officers observed Timberlake with glassy eyes and smelled alcohol on his breath. “He was unable to divide his attention, his speech was slow, and he was unsteady on his feet,” the complaint states.

Timberlake’s friends were near the arrest and begged the police to release him, but they refused, TMZ reports.

The New York Post reported that the unnamed arresting officer was “so young he didn’t even know” who Timberlake was.

His arrest came as the “SexyBack” singer is on his “The Forget Tomorrow World Tour,” which includes two shows at Chicago’s United Center on June 21 and 22. Timberlake is then scheduled to return to New York for two performances at Madison Square Garden. Earlier this week, he made headlines when he interrupted a performance to help a fan who needed medical attention.

Justin Timberlake was arrested in the Hamptons for drunk driving. He is due back in court on July 26.
Justin Timberlake was arrested in the Hamptons for drunk driving. He is due back in court on July 26. (Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

“The house is bright, thank you! Excuse me, everyone, just a minute… we need help about five rows back here,” he said in the video recording of the incident.

“OK, we’re fine,” he continued as the fan appeared to signal back.

Timberlake recently released his new album Everything I thought I washis first record in six years. It was panned by critics, with a two-star review in The Independent and called it “about as sexy as a dirty mattress.”

Timberlake’s former status as a global pop icon has waned in recent years, especially after the release of Britney Spears’ memoir. The woman in me, in which numerous details about their relationship and subsequent separation were revealed.

The couple met as child stars on the Disney Channel before Spears rose to fame with hits like “Hit Me Baby (One More Time)” and “Oops!… I Did It Again.”

Timberlake, meanwhile, joined the popular boy band NYSNC and later launched a successful solo career. He is also an actor and has received recognition for his performances in blockbuster films such as The social network and romantic comedies Friends with benefits.

Timberlake rose to fame in the '90s, first with The Mickey Mouse Club and then with NSYNC. He and Britney Spears were a couple at the height of her fame.
Timberlake rose to fame in the ’90s, first with The Mickey Mouse Club and then with NSYNC. He and Britney Spears were a couple at the height of her fame. (Getty Images)

In February, Timberlake caused a stir when he said during a live performance that he did not want to apologize to “absolutely anyone,” just days after Spears expressed regret over some of the revelations in Spears’ book.

Following the release of Timberlake’s single “Selfish” in March, Spears fans began streaming her 2011 song of the same name in response, resulting in it topping Timberlake’s sales in its first full week.

Timberlake has been married to Hollywood actress Jessica Biel since 2012 and has two children with her.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for Timberlake, a spokesman for the Sag Harbor Police Department and a spokesperson for the courthouse for comment.