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Azealia Banks Arrested After Biting Breast of Nightclub Bouncer, Police Say

By Danielle Tcholakian | December 17, 2015 2:47pm
 Azealia Banks, pictured here in a still from one of her music videos, was arrested outside the Up & Down club, police said.
Azealia Banks, pictured here in a still from one of her music videos, was arrested outside the Up & Down club, police said.
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YouTube/Azealia Banks

WEST VILLAGE — Harlem rapper Azealia Banks was arrested early Wednesday morning after biting the right breast of a security guard outside the Up & Down Club on West 14th Street, police said.

Police said Banks was "verbally abusive" when she was escorted from the club at 244 W. 14th St. about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and punched and bit the right breast of a 28-year-old female employee of the club.

The victim sustained swelling and redness to her breast, police said, but refused medical attention at the scene.

Officer Jennifer Melore, of the Manhattan Traffic Task Force, said in a court statement that the victim also reported bruising and substantial pain, and that Banks also tried to punch the victim in the face.

Melore brought Banks to the West Village's 6th Precinct, sources said. 

Banks was arraigned late Wednesday night in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment.

Banks was released on her own recognizance, and a temporary order of protection was issued. She is due back in court on Feb. 1.

Her lawyer referred a request for comment to Banks' publicist, who was not immediately available to comment.

The incident was first reported by Page Six.

According to Page Six, Banks was enraged at being denied entry to a private party for the club's owner. Two security guards — one male and one female — told Banks she had to go upstairs to get her hand stamped, Page Six reported, and Banks got upset that they didn't recognize her.

A club owner eventually recognized her, Page Six reported, and gave her a pass to get in, but after getting just 15 feet inside the door, Banks started cursing at the guards again, telling them that she performed on Rihanna's album.

Page Six said Banks also spat in the female guard's face.