Authorities: Neighbor claims battery by Bieber

[March 27, 2013]  CALABASAS, Calif. (AP) -- Deputies were investigating claims made Tuesday by a neighbor that Justin Bieber attacked and threatened him during an argument in suburban Los Angeles, authorities said.

No one was arrested and few details were immediately available.

A representative of Bieber, Melissa Victor, did not immediately return a request for comment.

Online schedules indicate the "Baby" singer is in the midst of a European tour and performed a show in Poland on Monday night.

Authorities were called to the Calabasas scene just after 9 a.m., said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"There have been allegations made against Mr. Bieber of battery and making threats," Whitmore said.

It's unclear who called authorities, and whether there might have been previous problems between the 19-year-old singer and neighbors, Whitmore said.

In recent years, the Canadian singer has been constantly chased by paparazzi while publicly morphing from an almost angelic mop-topped teen to an adult battling a bad boy image.

Recently, Bieber lashed out at paparazzi and lunged at one photographer as members of the singer's entourage held him back.

Last summer, he got a speeding ticket while trying to avoid a bevy of photographers on a Los Angeles freeway in his distinctive chrome Fisker Karma.

He collapsed backstage during a recent London concert and canceled a performance in Portugal.

Prosecutors decided against filing charges after the pop star was accused of kicking and punching a photographer outside a Calabasas movie theater in May 2012.

Earlier this year, an ex-bodyguard sued Bieber for alleged assault and more than $420,000 in unpaid wages. Moshe Benabou claims Bieber repeatedly punched him in the chest after an argument over the singer's entourage.

Lately, the slim singer has taken to whipping off his shirt in public places.

The investigation was first reported by TMZ.com.

[Associated Press]

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