Pop star Britney Spears, 44, was arrested late Wednesday night in Ventura County on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to law enforcement sources and multiple media outlets.
The California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reported that Spears was stopped by officers at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time and taken into custody on DUI allegations.
She was booked at the Ventura County jail in the early hours of Thursday morning and subsequently released shortly after under a “cite and release” procedure. Spears is scheduled to appear in court on May 4 in connection with the incident.
Police records indicate that no serious injuries or accidents were involved in the stop, and Spears’ vehicle was reportedly towed following her arrest.
Following news of the arrest, fans observed that Spears’ Instagram account was deactivated, making her profile inaccessible. Some note that the social media pause occurred shortly after the incident, though she has previously taken breaks from the platform for personal reasons.
Spears’ representatives have not issued a full public statement regarding the arrest or the Instagram deactivation. Earlier reports indicated her team described the incident as “inexcusable” and said she would take steps to address the situation.
The arrest comes amid ongoing media attention on Spears’ personal life and legal matters in recent years, with fans closely monitoring her activity both online and offline.