Justin Bieber's Tacoma Dome 'theft' story a PR stunt?
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SEATTLE -- Two days after Justin Bieber told fans he was the victim of a thief during a show at the Tacoma Dome, signs surfaced that the whole thing may have been a PR stunt.
On Wednesday the pop star said someone stole personal items from him and his tour manager during Tuesday's show in Tacoma.
"Really sucks," he tweeted. "People should respect other's property."
Bieber didn't list the stolen items, but mentioned a camera and computer that supposedly contained personal footage.
The next day a person claiming to be the thief opened a Twitter account under the name "@gexwy." The account sent out threats to release material from Bieber's computer at noon Eastern Time on Friday.
When the "release" finally happened, the tweet was nothing more than a link to Bieber's latest music video.
Bieber's official Twitter account retweeted the link from the fake thief a few moments later.
Bieber's publicist Melissa Victor told the Associated Press it's wasn't a hoax and the laptop was indeed stolen. Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum now says a report was filed, but the name associated with the theft was not Justin Bieber.
"It could be related, it might not, we don’t know," Fulghum said.
But he doesn't foresee spending much time investigating.
"I’m tired of it. I’ve put too much time into answering calls already," he said.
Tacoma's mayor says she thought it was odd that the story was newsworthy.
"It sounds like a ridiculous adolescent prank," said Marilyn Strickland.
Bieber admitted on Twitter that tabloid revenge was a motive, saying "since i was 14 i have had a lot of things said about me, from dying, to taking hormones, to dying again, to stuff about my family... to saying i had a baby with a woman i never even met. nude pics, drugs, my family, my character...but today...today i get to be in on it..."
On Wednesday the pop star said someone stole personal items from him and his tour manager during Tuesday's show in Tacoma.
"Really sucks," he tweeted. "People should respect other's property."
Bieber didn't list the stolen items, but mentioned a camera and computer that supposedly contained personal footage.
The next day a person claiming to be the thief opened a Twitter account under the name "@gexwy." The account sent out threats to release material from Bieber's computer at noon Eastern Time on Friday.
When the "release" finally happened, the tweet was nothing more than a link to Bieber's latest music video.
Bieber's official Twitter account retweeted the link from the fake thief a few moments later.
Bieber's publicist Melissa Victor told the Associated Press it's wasn't a hoax and the laptop was indeed stolen. Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum now says a report was filed, but the name associated with the theft was not Justin Bieber.
"It could be related, it might not, we don’t know," Fulghum said.
But he doesn't foresee spending much time investigating.
"I’m tired of it. I’ve put too much time into answering calls already," he said.
Tacoma's mayor says she thought it was odd that the story was newsworthy.
"It sounds like a ridiculous adolescent prank," said Marilyn Strickland.
Bieber admitted on Twitter that tabloid revenge was a motive, saying "since i was 14 i have had a lot of things said about me, from dying, to taking hormones, to dying again, to stuff about my family... to saying i had a baby with a woman i never even met. nude pics, drugs, my family, my character...but today...today i get to be in on it..."
I am also a fan of Justin Bieber. I recently got a well-designed phone case about iphone 5 from http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_19?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aepcase&page=19&keywords=epcase&ie=UTF8&qid=1357180258, which is so amazing. I can hold my favorite things for any time and any where.
Really??? Waste Tacoma's PD resources and defame the residents of the City because you got some bad press in the tabloids?Â
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WTF!?
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What a complete tool.  People need to start boycotting - and I agree with TacoBat1niner, both Beiber and his publicist should be charged with filing a false report and fined accordingly.
Great PR work......Bull! This really happened and there is no way you're going to help this brat that hasn't seen the light of day yet cover for him. Boo Hoo BOO HOOo Some one took my toys!!!! Oh so sad!! Grow up! Oh yeah and SHUT UP!
No talent hack for prepubescent girls gets the headlines. Dylan and Knopfler get nothing. I supposed I should be used to this by now.
Arrest him and his fool of a publicist! Filing a fake police report is illegal.
Totally OK to have have this run in  the entertainment section KOMO.  This guy is certainly big in showbiz. Â
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Now, Â if we can get another, more substantial crossover article, that covers the Bob Dylan concert tonight at the Key....that I would say would be a smart move and deserving of some real headlines. Â
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Now that I mention it, is the only reason we're seeing this thing on the Bieber is that he got some stuff stolen? Â Is this true? Â
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So KOMO, you know there are a lot more pressing matters that we should be informed of or about than stuff like this. We are generally pretty aware of the shoddy media we have to live with. Do try to tell us about something important instead.Â
And that's why i do not like this kid. Now him saying that he got stuff stolen while he was in Tacoma, that makes thins place look like s**t. how do you thing the guards felt when they heard this. If Justin is just saying this to look cool, what a bad way of doing it. I hope he never comes back to this place. and if he dose, drop him off in Tacoma and see what happens because you lied about getting your things taken. If i was a guard that night and this came out, it would make us look like we don't do are jobs, than to find out he lied, i would be pissed. What goes around comes around.
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 @PackersCougsBravesSounders Once again, a Packers fan who needs to take it down several more notches. I know you're still learning to read but this article has nothing to do with what you mentioned. You're an idiot.
Who cares. He lip syncs, which is evident by hearing him sing while he is busy regurgitating tube steak on stage. PR stunt or not he should have been fined for crying wolf even though no police report was filed. Hopefully he soon fades into obscurity like Milli Vanilli after they were caught lip syncing. Nothing like auto tune for an idiot who has no talent and easily fits into women's jeans.
 @Luciferian Why he has fans I'll never understand. There were idiots in Medford, OR. posing for photo with a cardboard cut out of JB at, some radios station promo...Lame.
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Click on the link and scroll down a bit. you will see how ridiculous...
http://www.facebook.com/hot989?ref=ts
Suprised this story isn't everywhere on the net yet.
Role model? I think not.
Nice pic Bebe.
Whens the hormones gonna kick in?
 @bobalouie He sleeps in Tupperware so that he stays fresh.
Attention whore. Mommy didn't breast feed him and busloads of pedophilic 30 something ladies can't cure him.
Here I was secretly hoping that he did get ripped off, grew a pair, and refused to ever come back to Washington state. Win-Win!!!!
bieber is a PUNK and always will be. Falsifying a police report is a crime and he should be charged!!!
 @Radical Roy They never filed a police report. First clue in the deception.
 @DarkRenegade "Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum now says a report was filed, but the name associated with the theft was not Justin Bieber. "
 @Robinsnest  @DarkRenegade So if the report that was filed is really false, then TPD and the city Prosecuting Attorney should be going after that person. The city can go to court and if the person doesn't show up, then they can issue subpoenas to all involved including puking boy.
We have a major Obama Admin coverup on the murder of the Libya Ambassador 3 other innocent Americans and a boy singer has some minor stuff stolen and it's headline news...?Â
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No wonder conservatives are upset - we are tired of the EXTREME MEDIA BIAS. Then then the libs complain because we have to watch FOX to get "fair and balanced..at least they give you ALL the news" news or turn on the BBC to get they Euro lib/NPR version... Is this Russia and the state run media!!??
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 @Truth Percolates There is no liberal media bias. I love it when conservative sheeple like yourself proclaim "Liberal Media Bias" the boogeyman conservitards everywhere. I bet you listen to talk radio. how many liberal talk radio stations are there? TV stations? Not many. The majority of the media is conservative. God you people are retarded. http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/01/13/follow-the-money-bain-capital-owns-most-conservative-and-some-liberal-radio-stations/
 @Truth Percolates finally someone's figured it out! justin bieber was created by the liberals to steal the election. you're a genius.Â
If a PR stunt (i.e., lying), not a good example to set for all those little "Eager Beibers".
This is hard hitting news.Â
@caphillkid When news counts...count on KOMO News....
PR Prank - some how that wouldn't surprse me - can't stand this kid ... he's trying to be "Michael Jackson" taking his moves and acting like him. There's only ONE "Michael Jackson" (may he rest in peace) - This kid needs to get his own act - UCK!!!
 @moonbeam51 People really do get more grouchy as the grow older, don't they. "Those young whipper-snappers and their new fancy music." God forbid they actually take influences from previous music.Â
@Ethan Allen Maybe you should read some of the other comments - others don't like him either ... an WHO are you calling old? I'm a LOT younger than you might think
I don't care what they do or don't do to him, I was just pointing out to some on here that there was a police report taken, and I can't remember when they rewrote the laws on filing a false police report, but I guess if you have lots of  loochie you can slide around anything.
"Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum now says a report was filed, but he doesn't foresee spending much time investigating"..so then, if it was a stunt and he filed a false report, what happens now? is this going to be treated as something "cute" no, it was one of his own group who stole the laptop so he could get free press for his latest music video, "Bieber's official Twitter account "Retweeted the link "from the FAKE THIEF a few moments later" I would call that filing a false report.
 @SJ And what is TPD going to do? Bieber will outspend them 10:1 on the case & come out on top, and TPD time & money would be a waste of resources. Pick you battles.
This is why I am alive and the reason there is news! Not even!
Even though I didn't listen to his music, I respected his work ethic and hoped for the best for him. A stunt like this,though, tells me that he actually has no integrity. Shame on him and the people that came up with this lie.Â
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His fans are young and impressionable. What kind of lesson does this teach them... its ok to lie and pretend to be a victim for attention?????
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 @The WA Mama Welcome to the entitlement generation. Lie, steal and cry about how disadvantaged you are; it's the new American way.
Shore gots a purty mouth
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Sure.. what else do you expect from a publicity whore?? Unfortunately it comes at Tacoma's expense.. Nothing funny about this at all.
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The music trend today is horrible and so are many of the people in the business. Â This guy is something else.
He seems to be highly uneducated. Â
I like the little twerp even less now. If that is possible.
Okay, he officially lost any kind of credibility or respect from me for sure. I only wish he did file a police report so they can nail his ass to the wall!
what a dwieb lol
Hey beaver, go back to your wood hut.
Kind of funny, reading all of the comments here about how Bieber should be arrested, charged with crime, sued for defamation, etc. Bieber didnt do anything illegal, no report was filed by him (the alleged victim), so the cops cannot do anything. No law was broken since no false police report was filed, so Bieber shouldnt and wont face any charges.
Get over it, I think it is pretty funny. Reminds me of the Raelians back in the earlier part of the 2000s, when they claimed they cloned a human. They never proved it, and made several statements that it was done, and the publicity died down and that was it. Morons.
 @northwestsurfer easy there red rider... many are disappointed and are discussing fantasy punishments.. I think. Unless some believe still in the Easter Bunny still... Ha! :D) Your, pal funky-munky.
What a punk!!
Lame publicity idea. I guess the part about insulting the whole city went over his head.
Now, why would the young Mr. Bieber choose TACOMA to pull this stunt? Seems to me that the people, the fans, should be p'o'd that he attempted to make it look like our region is nothing but thieves...
Shame on you Justin Bieber. Will the police charge him with making false statements?
And KOMO fell for it hook, line and sinker, adhering strictly to their "fact-checking optional" proceedure, as they often do any time they can snatch no-cost filler that garners slavish click-counts from starstruck basket cases who now literally feel wronged by having read about it, as though Bieber threw a rock through their car window or something.
This shouldnt surprise any regulars here; the rampant lack of journalism integrity here is no longer surprising anymore to me.
 @northwestsurfer Bryan Johnson, Elisa Jaffee and one or two others sometimes do actual journalism, but most of this site's stories - and in fact most news stories everywhere - are simply copied & pasted from press releases. So if your news feels like it was written by a PR guy, that's because it probably was.
 @northwestsurfer Editing takes time and TV sites try to get information online as quickly as possible.
I'm not making excuses for them, the spelling and grammar errors get my goat too.
@Fooey Patooey! I know, but occasionally KOMO does actually write and produce their own content, and when they do its generally laden with misspellings and grammatical errors. Schram is pretty much the only journalist on the site with any decent caliber. I do like Steve Pool, Scott Sistek, and Molly Shen too.
 @wysoumible Thats right. Komo should have tracked down the stolen items, or not stolen items, and solved the case before publishing the story. They owe it to us to find the one armed man..... #Fugitive. Nothing published til Komo catches the real killer #OJ .  You watch too much TV.