Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — LL Cool J plays a special agent on TV’s “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and now he’s caught an actual bad guy.
The 44-year-old rapper struggled with and subdued a suspected burglar early Wednesday at his home in California, police said. He was not hurt.
Police got an emergency call shortly before 1 a.m. from someone who said her father had spotted an intruder in their home and was holding him downstairs.
“There was a prowler at his residence whom he confronted in the kitchen. ... There was a physical confrontation briefly between the two of them,” Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Richard French said.
A 58-year-old man was taken to the hospital and was expected to be arrested on suspicion of burglary. His identity wasn’t released, but there was no indication that he knew the rapper or had a personal vendetta, French said.
“He appeared to be a homeless person,” French said.
Early police information said the man received minor bruises. However, the Los Angeles Times cited police sources it did not identify as saying the suspect received a broken nose and jaw in a “knock-down, drag-out” fight.
French said he had no details about the man’s injuries or how he may have gotten into the home, a walled and gated mansion.
“LL Cool J, and his family, are safe and thank everyone for their thoughts and concern,” said a statement released by his publicist, Rhett Usry. “As a father, husband and citizen, he is committed to keeping his family safe and is cooperating with authorities on this private matter.”
LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, has had such hits such as “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “I’m Bad.”
Copyright 2012 Associated Press