Justin Timberlake tip: Someone called cops from hotel to report singer might get behind wheel before DWI bust, source says
Someone at the swanky Hamptons hotel where Justin Timberlake was downing cocktails before his DWI arrest called cops because they were concerned he would get behind the wheel, a local eatery owner says.
“[They] said Justin was having a lot of drinks, and they told the cop to watch him if he is going to drive,” said the well-connected Southampton restaurateur, who did not want to be identified, to The Post on Sunday.
The local businessman did not specify whether the caller was an employee or patron of Sag Harbor’s American Hotel, including whether they were from Timberlake’s own party, in order to shield their anonymity.
The 43-year-old superstar singer ended up hopping in his gray 2025 BMW after the partying at Sag Harbor’s American Hotel — and was promptly stopped by a young cop who gave him a warning, thinking that would be enough to keep him off the road, a local law enforcement source previously told The Post.
But a few minutes later, the same cop spotted Timberlake still in the BMW’s driver’s seat, only this time the singer had allegedly blown through a stop sign and was weaving out of his lane. He reeked of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes, miserably failed several roadside sobriety tests and was busted, cops said.
Neither the American, Sag Harbor cops nor Timberlake’s publicist immediately responded to Post questions Sunday.
His attorney, Eddie Burke, said he had no comment at this time.
The restaurateur source said he believes that the “Cry Me a River” crooner was “mistreated” in the embarrassing incident, which made worldwide news.
“[He was] definitely treated unfairly,” the source said.
“Everyone drives through that stop sign when no one is there,” the source claimed, noting that Timberlake, a 10-time Grammy winner and married dad of two young boys, was a “Hamptons regular” who has frequented his establishments “many times” over the years.
“He was always a gentleman,” the restaurateur said of the star. “People always recognize him, and they ask him for a picture, and he always says yes. He has the hat pulled down and the sunglasses, so it’s hard to recognize him, but some people do.
“He’s not like Leonardo [DiCaprio]. Leo does not like to be recognized, and he will even curse. He does not take pictures, especially if he is with a bunch of models,” the source said.
The restaurant owner said he also doesn’t buy the widely reported detail that the young officer who pulled Timberlake over, a Sag Harbor rookie cop named Michael Arkinson, didn’t recognize him.
“If you live in America, you know who Justin Timberlake is,” the source said.
“The cop did his job, but he definitely knew who Justin was.”
But another local businessman, Mark Zucchero, 54, who owns Flying Point Surf and Sport, said he believes Arkinson.
“[The cop is] definitely not a bad guy. He’s diligent, he does a good job. He just didn’t know who Justin Timberlake was! That’s all, pretty simple.”
Kirk Severance, 31, who manages the Emporium True Value Hardware directly across the street from the American Hotel, added, “The cops around here are pretty lenient and understanding.
“All nice guys. Some of them come in here. They’re really laid back in the winter, but they can get a little stricter in the summer with the crowds,” the local said.
Two cars were in the driveway at Arkinson’s Hamptons home Sunday, and people could be seen inside, but nobody came to the door when The Post sought comment.
Later, cops outside warned Post staffers to stay away.
Timberlake claimed to arresting officers after he was pulled over that he only had one drink, a martini. He still refused to take a Breathalyzer test three separate times, according to court documents.
The “Mickey Mouse Club” alum made his first public statement after his arrest on stage at Chicago’s United Center on Friday night.
“It’s been a tough week,” the “SexyBack” singer told the crowd.
“I know I’m hard to love sometimes, but you keep loving me right back,” the former NSync member continued from the stage, as the audience showered him with cheers.
Timberlake continues his “Forget Tomorrow” world tour June 25 with a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden.
