July 24, 2003 15:19

POLICE APOLOGISE TO ICE CUBE

The local cops issued a community alert likening a man suspected in a series of sexual assaults to the rapper...

CHICAGO police have issued an apology to ICE CUBE, after they issued a community alert likening a man suspected in a series of sexual assaults to the rapper.

The police are currently searching for a man who sexually assaulted three women in the Wicker Park area of Chicago's North Side. The alert was released on Sunday (July 20) describing the wanted man as a black male in his mid-20s who "resembles the popular rap artist Ice Cube."

WBBM-TV, the Chicago TV station, then broadcast an Ice Cube video when the story was reported on Monday night (July 21).

David Bayless, a police spokesperson said, "We acknowledged the information should not have been on the police alert." He added, "We took immediate corrective action. We apologise to Ice Cube for what was an honest mistake and came with no ill intent."

'Barbershop 2', the sequel to the movie starring the rapper, began filming on Monday and according to Matt Labov, Ice Cube's spokesperson, cast members were watching as WBBM-TV broadcast the video.

He told Billboard, "This is an unfortunate and hurtful situation for Ice Cube. That his good name ever came up in association with the events currently taking place in Chicago's Wicker Park area is damaging to Ice Cube as a father, husband and artist."

Labov said that the both the police department and the TV station have since apologised.

The community alert has since been reissued without reference to Ice Cube.