ISLAND DEF JAM EXEC JAMES ROPPO IS ARRESTED FOR NEARLY CAUSING A RIOT WHEN HE INVITED TOO MANY PEOPLE TO AN ALBUM SIGNING!

A top record label exec was arrested Friday after a crowd of hysterical teenyboppers caused a near-riot at a Long Island mall while waiting in line for autographs from a 15-year-old pop sensation, police said.
James Roppo, 44, the senior vice president of sales at Island Def Jam Records, sent out Internet messages to over 3,000 fans that Justin Bieber was signing autographs even after police dispersed the crowd, cops said.

Bieber was promoting his new album "My World" at the clothing store Justice at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, L.I.

"The kids were just out of control," said a mother who brought her 12-year-old daughter.

The fans began lining up as early as 9 a.m. hoping to receive a yellow bracelet, a pass to meet the teen pop star - but trouble started a couple of hours before the 4 o'clock event, police and witnesses said.

"People started screaming 'Justin' and they ran forward and the ropes collapsed," said Aimee Macchi, 13, who was knocked down in the stampede.

"Everyone was pushing, there was no room to breathe," she said. "I was literally on the floor."

But many teens were only concerned they would lose their place in line during the scramble.

"I was more worried about not getting in than being trampled," said Stephanie Fiorello, 13.

The Canadian singing sensation tweeted a warning to his fans to stay away.

"They are not allowing me to come into the mall. if you dont leave I and my fans will be arrested as the police just told us," Bieber tweeted.

"The event at roosevelt mall is cancelled," he wrote. "please go home. ... I dont want anyone hurt."

Bieber's record label, Island Records, apologized to fans.

"Over 10,000 screaming fans showed up and the police and fire marshal concluded it was an unsafe environment and prohibited the event from taking place," the statement said.

Roppo could face charges including reckless endangerment, criminal nuisance, obstruction of governmental administration and endangering the welfare of children, police said.

Only minor injuries were reported, but many left with broken hearts.

"I feel like crying right now, we love him," said Jennifer Manzanarez, 14.