The Weeknd arrested in Las Vegas

R&B star The Weeknd was arrested in Las Vegas on Saturday (10Jan15) after allegedly punching a police officer.

The Love Me Harder singer was taken into custody after he reportedly lashed out at an officer who attempted to break up an altercation at Sin City's Cromwell Hotel, according to TMZ.com.

According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department public information officer Laura Meltzer, the R&B star, real name Abel Tesfaye, struck the officer on the side of the head with a closed fist.

Tesfaye was arrested on one count of misdemeanor battery of a protected person, but posted bail and has since left the city.

Later on Saturday, he posted a photograph of himself walking towards a private jet on Instagram.com, along with the caption, "Escaped from Las Vegas".