🚨 JAMES & CHICO DeBARGE ARRESTED AFTER RIDING AROUND WITH NO PLATES... THEN COPS SAY THEY FOUND DRUGS 🙏

Baby, I love me some DeBarge. LOVE THEM.

But somebody in this family has GOT to stop giving the Burbank Police Department repeat business. 😭

Brothers James DeBarge and Jonathan “Chico” DeBarge are back in the headlines after what started as a late-night traffic stop in Burbank, California, ended with both singers being arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance. 

And the way police say this whole thing started?

NO LICENSE PLATES.

Y'all...

When you're allegedly carrying something you don't want police asking questions about, wouldn't Step One be:

MAKE SURE THE DAMN CAR LOOKS LEGAL?! 😭

🚙 ONE SUV WAS TOWING THE OTHER

According to Burbank police, officers spotted a Chevrolet Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV with a tow strap around 1:30 a.m. Friday.

James, 63, was reportedly driving the Tahoe while Chico, 60, was inside the Nissan being pulled behind him.

Police said neither vehicle had license plates. NBC Los Angeles also reports neither brother was wearing a seat belt.

So we got:

No plates.

A tow strap.

Middle of the night.

And no seat belts.

BABY, THAT CAR WAS SCREAMING “PULL ME OVER.” 😂

You might as well have put a flashing sign on the roof:

🚨 HELLO OFFICER! COME SEE WHAT WE GOT GOING ON! 🚨

👮🏾‍♂️ THEN POLICE SAY THEY FOUND NARCOTICS

Once officers conducted the stop, police say narcotics were discovered at the scene.

Both James and Chico were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. Chico was additionally booked because authorities said he had an outstanding warrant, although initial reports did not disclose what that warrant involved.

TMZ, citing law-enforcement sources, later reported that the substances were believed to be suspected fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine. Those substances were described as suspected, and neither brother has been convicted in connection with this latest arrest.

So we're gonna keep the legal language where it belongs:

ALLEGEDLY.

Because 730 Boom Radio may talk crazy...

BUT WE READ THE FINE PRINT OVER HERE. 😂

😩 CHICO... BURBANK AGAIN?!

Now here's where I'm sitting at my desk rubbing my temples.

This isn't Chico's first unfortunate encounter with Burbank police.

In 2021, Chico was arrested after another traffic stop in Burbank. In that case, authorities said he was driving without headlights or license plates, and police reportedly found methamphetamine and heroin. He was also accused at the time of initially identifying himself as his brother James.🫤

Wait.

NO PLATES THEN?!

And now...

NO PLATES AGAIN?!

CHICO!

Baby, AutoZone sells screws.

The DMV issues plates.

WE HAVE OPTIONS. 😭😭😭

If getting pulled over because the vehicle has no plates has already been part of the plot once, WHY ARE WE RUNNING THE SAME EPISODE AGAIN?!

This ain't Law & Order: DeBarge Unit.

💔 BUT THERE'S A SADDER SIDE TO THIS STORY

All jokes aside, addiction has been part of the DeBarge family's public story for decades.

Chico has spoken openly about his own struggles, even releasing an album titled “Addiction,” which dealt with the impact drugs had on his life and career. James has also had previous drug-related legal problems.

And that's what makes stories like this difficult.

Because we're talking about members of one of R&B's most talented musical families.

The DeBarge name gave us music that generations STILL play.

Beautiful voices.

Beautiful harmonies.

And behind all that beautiful music has been some very real pain.

Addiction doesn't care how talented you are.

It doesn't care how many records you sold.

It doesn't care how famous your family is.

And it damn sure doesn't care how much the public loves you.

❤️ WE CAN LAUGH AT THE NO-PLATE PART AND STILL HOPE THEY GET HELP

Because riding around at 1:30 in the morning towing another SUV with a strap and neither vehicle having plates?

I'm sorry.

THAT PART IS KNUCKLEHEAD MATERIAL. 😭

But suspected fentanyl and meth?

That's where the joke stops being quite as funny.

Hopefully both brothers get whatever help, support and accountability they may need.

Because I'd much rather write:

“THE DeBARGE BROTHERS ARE BACK IN THE STUDIO!”

than:

“THE DeBARGE BROTHERS ARE BACK IN CUSTODY.”

Come on, fellas.

We still love the music.

We just need y'all to get it together.

And for the love of everything holy...

PUT SOME DAMN PLATES ON THE CAR. 😩🚙

❤️ IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION

Addiction is a serious health condition, and help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit FindTreatment.gov to locate treatment and recovery services near you.

If you believe someone may be experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an opioid overdose when administered in time.

Getting help isn't something to be ashamed of. Staying alive comes first. ❤️

730 BOOM RADIO

IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥