Justin Timberlake’s Hamptons ArrestJustin Timberlake’s Hamptons Arrest Justin Timberlake’s arrest for driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons sparked numerous details to emerge, including a local restaurant owner’s claim that someone at the hotel where Timberlake had been drinking called police with concerns about his driving. According to the restaurant owner (who remained anonymous), Timberlake’s party at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor may have been the source of the tip to police. The owner did not specify whether the caller was an employee or a guest. Reports suggest that Timberlake had been advised against driving by the same police officer who ultimately arrested him. A source close to Timberlake stated that he was “definitely treated unfairly” in the incident, citing that everyone in the area often runs the same stop sign without incident. The restaurant owner described Timberlake as a frequent visitor to the Hamptons who had always been polite and accommodating when approached for photos. They also dismissed the claim that the officer who stopped Timberlake did not recognize him, stating that everyone in the area would know who he is. However, another local businessman expressed trust in the officer, stating that he was not aware of Timberlake’s celebrity status. The officer, Michael Arkinson, was a rookie from Sag Harbor.
Someone at the luxurious Hamptons hotel where Justin Timberlake drank cocktails before his DWI arrest called police because they were concerned he was driving drunk, a local restaurant owner reportedly said. The local businessman did not indicate whether the person calling was an employee or a guest at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor.
The restaurant owner also did not specify whether they were from Timberlake’s own party to protect their anonymity, the New York Post reported. Reports indicated that the singer had been warned against driving by the same police officer who ultimately arrested him, and that authorities may have been notified of Timberlake’s intention to drive.
Police tipped off before arrest
X
Timberlake, 43, was stopped in Sag Harbor around 12:30 a.m. on June 18 after running a stop sign and swerving out of his lane while driving his 2025 BMW X7 after an evening with friends.
According to a source who spoke to Page Six on Saturday, Timberlake was stopped by Sag Harbor Police Officer Michael Arkinson, 23, and advised not to drive in his condition.
“(They) said Justin had been drinking a lot, and they told the officer to watch him when he started driving,” the Southampton restaurateur, who did not want to be identified, told The New York Post on Sunday.
“The officer didn’t recognize him; he is a young guy,” the source said. “And he still gave Justin a break because he wasn’t an immediate threat.”
However, a few minutes later, the same police officer saw Timberlake still in the driver’s seat of the BMW. This time, the singer reportedly ran a stop sign and swerved out of his lane.
Officers said Timberlake smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, failed multiple roadside sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested.
Unnecessary problems
The restaurant said it believes the “Cry Me a River” singer was “unfairly treated” in the embarrassing incident, which drew worldwide attention.
“He was definitely treated unfairly,” the source noted.
The source claimed, “Everyone drives through that stop sign when no one is there,” noting that Timberlake, a 10-time Grammy winner and father of two young boys, was a frequent visitor to the Hamptons and had “been to his establishments many times “. times” over the years.
“He was always a gentleman,” the restaurateur told the outlet. “People always recognize him, and they ask him for a picture, and he always says yes. He has the hat down and the sunglasses, so it’s hard to recognize him, but some people do.
“He’s not like Leonardo (DiCaprio). Leo doesn’t like to be recognised, and he will even swear. He doesn’t take pictures, especially when he’s with some models,” the source said.
The restaurant owner also rejected the widely publicized claim that the young officer who stopped Timberlake, a rookie officer named Michael Arkinson from Sag Harbor, did not recognize him. “If you live in America, you know who Justin Timberlake is,” the source said.
“The officer was doing his job, but he definitely knew who Justin was.”
However, another local businessman, Mark Zucchero, 54, owner of Flying Point Surf and Sport, said he trusts Arkinson. “(The cop is) not a bad guy at all. He’s diligent, he does a good job. He just didn’t know who Justin Timberlake was! That’s it, pretty simple.”
