Cassidy's Arrest Details Emerge, Rapper Not Wanted For Murder

Days following Philadelphia rapper Cassidy's arrest on perceived murder-related charges, New Jersey police officials have denied his involvement in anything more than a probation violation.

According to Hackensack, New Jersey police, Cass is not facing murder charges despite initial reporting that claimed otherwise.

"In reference to the recent inquires regarding Barry Reese (aka Cassidy), on Saturday, May 14, 2011, Reese was arrested by Hackensack Police for a probation violation for a previous aggravated assault incident in Philadelphia," said the Philadelphia Police Department's public affairs office in a statement sent to XXLMag.com. "Reese was placed in probation violation status for non-reporting only. Reese is currently being held in Bergen County Prison awaiting extradition to Philadelphia. Reese is not wanted for any other crime / violation in Philadelphia." (XXL Mag)

The rapper was arrested last Saturday (May 14) evening in New Jersey.

The Philadelphia Police warrant squad called the Hackensack Police Department on Saturday morning to tell officers there was an open warrant for Hackensack resident Barry Reese, also known as the rapper Cassidy, Hackensack police Lt. Timothy Lloyd said. The warrant was for violating probation, but Reese is also a suspect in a murder and two attempted murders in Philadelphia, Lloyd said. Philadelphia police knew from a prior investigation that the rapper lived in Hackensack, Lloyd said. (North Jersey)

Cassidy was reportedly caught off guard when approached and arrested.

Philadelphia police told their Hackensack counterparts "to consider this person armed and dangerous," and this was a "high-risk warrant," Lloyd said. Officers from the Hackensack Police Emergency Response Team and the police department's juvenile bureau watched Reese's home Saturday on Reilly Court, Lloyd said. Reese left his house about 1:30 p.m. and was followed by police to a local convenience store, Lloyd said. An undercover ERT officer went in the store and positively identified Reese, he said. When Reese came out of the store, "the ERT units moved in and conducted a felony motor vehicle stop," Lloyd said. Reese "was very surprised," Lloyd said. The officers who arrested the rapper "did an outstanding job," he said. "Without the proper teamwork going on, this could have spiraled out of control quickly." No one was injured in the arrest, Lloyd said. Reese, 28, will be brought to the Bergen County Jail Annex to await extradition to Philadelphia, Lloyd said. (North Jersey)