Rapper Immortal Technique and Mission Viejo Tour Manager Arrested for Allegedly Beating Concert T-Shirt Vendors

Immortal Technique was released from jail today after posting bail in connection with the alleged beating of two men who were selling T-shirts bearing his likeness outside a Santa Ana club where the rapper was performing.

The rapper -- whose real name is Felipe Andres Coronel -- was booked last night on suspicion of robbery and attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim from reporting a crime, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

Coronel, 37, of New York City, was arrested along with Steven Alexander McDaniel, 40, of Mission Viejo, according to Bertagna.

Both men posted $50,000 bail and were released following their transfer from Santa Ana’s jail to the Orange County Jail, according to jail records. Coronel listed his occupation as producer and McDaniel posted his job as tour manager.

The victims told police they were selling T-shirts with the rapper’s logo outside the Observatory at 3503 S. Harbor Blvd. when the performer’s “entourage” -- numbering 10 to 12 people -- confronted them on Thursday night, Bertagna said.

“The group confronted them about not receiving money from the sale of the T-shirts,” Bertagna said.

The victims, ages 38 and 30, said they were beaten and their attackers took their T-shirts, cash and cell phones, Bertagna said.

Police have not recovered the items reported stolen, Bertagna said.

After the beating, the rapper took the stage in the Observatory’s Constellation Room, Bertagna said.

A message sent to the rapper’s recording company -- Viper Records -- was not immediately returned.

Coronel, who was born in Peru, emigrated to Harlem with his family in 1980.

• City News Service