NEW YORK -- David Lee Roth, former singer with the rock group Van Halen, was arrested for buying marijuana Friday in what police described as a routine sweep of Washington Square Park.
A police spokesman, Sgt. Anthony Barlenti said Roth, now performing solo, was taken after the arrest with other suspects from the sweep to the 6th Precinct stationhouse where he was charged with a violation and issued a summons to appear in Criminal Court May 21 and released.
Charged with buying $10 worth of marijuana, the spokesman said Roth faces up to 15 days in jail and or a $250 fine.
Roth was among 74 people arrested in Washington Square Park Thursday and Friday, 38 of them Friday, Barlenti said. He was taken into custody about 4:45 p.m. EDT
'Sweeps of Washington Square Park have become routine,' said Officer Scott Bloch, another spokesman, who added, 'They usual don't include celebrities.
Bloch said a violation is less an offense than a misdemeanor.
Roth's career with Van Halen reached a peak in the mid-1980s, when the group came out with a series of hits, including 'Jump' and 'Panama.'
