Rapper DMX seen on surveillance tape at robbery location in Newark, source says

NEWARK (WABC) -- A source close to the investigation tells Eyewitness News that the surveillance tape has been reviewed and rapper DMX was seen at the location of the robbery in Newark, but no charges have been filed at this time.

Newark police investigators obtained a copy of the surveillance tape at the Exxon station where the alleged incident took place.

A 21-year-old man who did not want to be identified told Eyewitness News on Monday that he and his friend were at the gas station on McCarter Highway around 12:30 a.m. when he says DMX rolled up in four black Escalades with an entourage of about 15. And he got quite a bit of attention.

"Fans basically surrounding him," the man said. "They wanted to take a couple pictures with him."

The man tells Eyewitness News that his friend walked past DMX and his bodyguards to go into the store, but the doors were locked, so they started to walk back. They were then approached by one of DMX's bodyguards.

"They probably thought we had a gun, because he has his hand in his pocket - and that's how people carry if they have one," he said. "That's why he asked him what was in his pocket. Then he was like 'nah, there's nothing in my pocket.' Then he showed him the money."

That is when the men claim DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, got a look at the wad of money - $3,200 the alleged victim says was from his just-cashed paycheck - and DMX snatched it.

"DMX took the money, but the bodyguard was the one who glanced us with the handle of his gun," the alleged victim said. "He's like, 'Come on, yo, we out, we out,' talking to his entourage."

The alleged victim also said that cameras caught the whole incident. The two men claim they followed the Escalades and got a license plate number, which they handed over to police.

So far, police are being tight-lipped about their investigation, but the Ruff Riders rapper was in New Jersey on Saturday night for a concert.

Murray Richman, Earl Simmons (DMX's) attorney, spoke out about the incident.

"The allegations are unequivocally and utterly false," he said, adding that "any videotape would be dispositive."

Newark police say no charges have been filed, and they are hoping the surveillance will provide more evidence as to what happened.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

The Newark Police Department urges anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Department's 24-hour CRIME STOPPERS TIP LINE at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or 877-NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).