(8 Apr 1998) English/Nat

A spokesman for the Beverly Hills Police Department on Wednesday gave details of the arrest of the pop singer George Michael, who was allegedly committing a lewd act in a park toilet block.

He was handcuffed by an undercover police unit patrolling the park, taken to jail and later released after he posted a 500 U-S dollar bail.

Michael's publicity agency in London declined to give a comment and said it could not immediately confirm his arrest.

Beverly Hills police addressing the press on Wednesday, detailed the arrest of pop singer George Michael.

He was detained on suspicion of engaging in lewd conduct in a park restroom.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"On April 7th 1998 at approximately 16.48 hours, that's 4.48 pm, Beverly Hills police officers arrested the singer known as George Michaels. Mr Michaels was arrested for a violation of 647A of the penal code, engaging in a lewd act. The arrest was made by members of the Crime Suppression Unit at Will Rogers park, located at Cannon and Lomedas (?) in Beverly Hills"
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Edward Kreins, Beverly Hills Police Department

The police spokesman declined to give further details of the alleged act, specifically whether Michael, who was alone at the time, was arrested for exposing himself.

The world famous singer was arrested outside the park about a mile from his home.

He was scheduled for arraignment in Municipal Court on May 5.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr Michaels was subsequently booked at the Beverly Hills Police Department jail, Mr Michaels posted bail in the amount of 500 dollars. He was released at approximately 20.05, or 8.05 pm. Mr Michaels is scheduled to appear in the Beverly Hills Municipal Court on May 5th 1998 at 08.30 hours"
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Edward Kreins, Beverly Hills Police Department

When being booked he gave his actual name, Georgios Panayiotou, and disclosed his more familiar name when asked by the police

Local residents have long complained about incidents of lewd conduct in the park which has a reputation as a cruising ground for homosexuals.

Kreins said these complaints had prompted the setting up of a crime suppression effort in the area.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Members of our crime Suppression Unit were monitoring the park yesterday, they did go into the rest room area of the park and did observe Mr Michael engaged in a lewd act. He was by himself, the officer observed the act and arrested Mr Michaels"
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Edward Kreins, Beverly Hills Police Department

On the day of Michael's arrest, another man also was arrested for investigation of lewd conduct at the same restroom.

This prompted immediate speculation that the two incidents were related, but these rumours were categorically discounted by police.

Kreins talked of the work of the Crime Supression Unit, who are a plain clothes undercover unit more generally deployed in the fight against violent crime.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They are, as I indicated, an undercover unit primarily they're more interested in more violent type of crimes that occur in the city, the robberies, burglaries, bank robberies that kind of thing, however when complaints are received they will take appropriate action"
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Edward Kreins, Beverly Hills Police Department

The arresting officer did not recognize the pop star, who identified himself as a singer when asked his occupation at the station, Kreins said.

In the 1980s, Michael shot to stardom with Andrew Ridgeley as the duo Wham!, whose hits included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Careless Whisper".



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