Bizarre details emerge after DeBarge brothers James and Chico busted on drug charges in Burbank

“WE WERE JUST PULLING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, POLICE SAY R&B STARS JAMES AND CHICO DEBARGE WERE STOPPED IN AN UNLICENSED TOW SETUP WITH NARCOTICS AT THE SCENE… AND BOTH BROTHERS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON SUSPICION OF DRUG POSSESSION.

James DeBarge and Jonathan Chico DeBarge were arrested Friday in Burbank.

Authorities took both brothers into custody on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance.

The two men are members of the famous musical family behind notable pop and R&B recordings.

Their family group achieved major commercial success with hits including “Rhythm of the Night” and “I Like It.”

The latest incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to authorities.

Burbank police officers initiated a traffic stop after observing two vehicles traveling together.

Officers spotted a Chevrolet Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV with a tow strap.

Neither vehicle had license plates, authorities said.

James DeBarge, 63, was behind the wheel of the Tahoe.

His brother Jonathan Chico DeBarge, 60, was riding inside the Nissan as it was being towed.

Neither brother was wearing a seatbelt, according to authorities.

Officers conducted an investigation at the scene of the stop.

Police said narcotics were found at the scene.

The discovery of the narcotics led to the arrest of both men, according to NBC4.

Both vehicles were subsequently towed from the location.

And Chico had another legal issue waiting for him during the stop.

Officers determined that Chico had an outstanding warrant.

Police did not immediately disclose what that warrant was for.

The Friday bust represents the latest in a series of drug-related cases for Chico.

In October 1988, Chico and his older brother Bobby DeBarge were arrested on federal drug charges.

Both were convicted for their roles in a conspiracy to smuggle more than two pounds of cocaine from Los Angeles to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Chico went on to spend several years in federal prison following that conviction.

Yet his legal troubles did not end after his release.

Chico was arrested on drug possession charges in 2007.

He was arrested again on drug possession charges in late 2019.

In early 2021, Chico faced another arrest on drug possession allegations.

The 2021 case also included a charge accusing him of falsely impersonating his brother James.

Then, just over a year before Friday’s arrest, Burbank police stopped Chico once more.

Officers stopped him on that occasion while he was riding a bicycle without proper lighting.

During that stop, officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Chico was arrested and booked on an outstanding warrant following that encounter.

James DeBarge has accumulated a lengthy criminal record of his own over the years.

In 2010, James was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm.

In October 2011, he was arrested twice in separate incidents.

One October 2011 arrest was on suspicion of drug possession.

The other October 2011 arrest was on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

James was convicted on those charges in 2012.

In 2013, James was arrested over a hit-and-run involving possession of a controlled substance.

That case resulted in additional jail time for James.

Then came another narcotics arrest the following year.

In April 2014, Los Angeles police officers arrested James in South Los Angeles.

That arrest was made on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine.

Authorities held James without bail at that time because of his prior convictions.

The legal difficulties involving James and Chico form part of a broader pattern that has affected the DeBarge family.

Other siblings in the musical family have also faced high-profile arrests involving drugs and weapons.

Those siblings include El DeBarge, who served as the group’s primary lead singer.

The family achieved widespread prominence as the recording group DeBarge, producing hits such as “Rhythm of the Night” and “I Like It.”

Chico also launched a solo recording career during the 1980s and 1990s.

He has openly addressed his personal struggles with substance abuse through his music.

His sixth album, titled “Addiction,” addressed the impact of substance abuse, including his federal prison sentence.

The Friday traffic stop in Burbank has now returned both brothers to custody on new drug-related allegations.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.