Akon Arrested in DeKalb County Over Roswell Warrant

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – Renowned singer Akon was arrested in DeKalb County last week after police identified his Tesla linked to a warrant from Roswell, the Chamblee Police Department reported.

The 52-year-old musician, whose real name is Aliaune Badara Thiam, was taken into custody on November 7 shortly after 12:30 p.m. According to jail records, he was booked and released about six hours later.

Officers responded to a Flock camera alert around 11 a.m. that identified a white Tesla Cybertruck wanted by the Roswell Police Department. They found the vehicle parked at Tint World on Chamblee Dunwoody Road and observed a man nearby who matched the owner’s description.

After confirming Thiam’s identity with his driver’s license, officers informed him of the active warrant. Thiam reportedly remained calm during the encounter and acknowledged knowledge of the warrant.

He was then handcuffed, patted down for weapons, and detained while officers verified the warrant with Roswell police. Once it was confirmed, he was officially arrested. A search revealed no weapons or illegal items.

The incident report stated that Akon’s vehicle was at Tint World for service and was not impounded after the arrest. Officers transported him to the DeKalb County Jail, where he was processed.

The Roswell Police Department confirmed the warrant is listed as an “out-of-county (foreign warrant)” in records from the DeKalb County jail.

Akon is a five-time Grammy nominee known for his hits from the early 2000s like “Locked Up,” “Smack That,” and “Lonely.” Along with his music, he has engaged in philanthropic efforts across Africa and beyond.

This incident marks one of several legal troubles for the singer. Previously, he served time in 1998 on car theft charges that were eventually dropped and faced harassment charges in 2008 for an incident during a concert.

Akon is currently on tour in India. He performed in Delhi on November 9 and is scheduled to perform in Bengaluru on November 14 and Mumbai on November 16. He also has a concert planned in Las Vegas for January 3, 2026.