Rapper Cassidy arrested on probation violation and named suspect in murder case

Rapper Cassidy has been arrested on a probation violation and named a suspect in a murder and two attempted murders in his native Philadelphia.

The 28-year-old, real name Barry Reese, was taken into custody in Hacksensack, New Jersey on Saturday after local authorities were alerted to a warrant for his arrest by Philadelphia police.

Hackensack Police Department Lieutenant Timothy Lloyd was told the hip-hop star was under a ‘high risk warrant' and may be 'armed and dangerous'.

According to local newspaper The Record, a surveillance team was set up outside the hip-hop artist's home in Jersey City following the alert.

Police were dispatched when Cassidy was seen leaving the residence at approximately 1:30pm to stop at a local convenience store.

His identity was confirmed during a routine felony motor vehicle stop, prompting authorities to make the arrest.

It was unclear how Cassidy violated his probation.

He was reportedly being held in custody at the Bergen County Jail Annex and awaiting extradition to Philadelphia at press time.

Lieutenant Lloyd told the newspaper Cassidy 'was very surprised' by the arrest.

It is not the first of the rapper's legal woes.

Cassidy served eight months in prison in 2006 for involuntary manslaughter, possession of an instrument of crime and aggravated assault in relation to a 2005 Philadelphia shooting case.

That came one year after he rose to fame following the release of his 2004 album, Split Personality, which featured hit singles Hotel and Get No Better.

Cassidy released his fifth and most recent album, C.A.S.H., last August.