(07-19) 19:55 PDT PHOENIX (AP) --
Rapper DMX was arrested at a Phoenix mall Saturday on suspicion that he gave
a gave a false name and Social Security number to a hospital to get out of
paying for medical expenses.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that when DMX, whose real name is
Earl Simmons, went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in April, he used the name
"Troy Jones" and failed to pay a $7,500 bill.

DMX's Scottsdale attorney, Cameron Morgan, declined to comment.

Arpaio said his office began investigating the charge following an animal
neglect investigation last year at the 37-year-old rapper's north Phoenix
home. DMX was arrested in that case on felony drug possession and
misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 12 pit bull dogs
and dug up the remains of three others.

The musician/actor has had other recent run-ins with the law, including an
arrest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport earlier this month on
outstanding warrants after he failed to appear in court.

The week before, he was arrested in Miami on charges of attempting to
purchase cocaine and marijuana.

"He's back in jail again," Arpaio said. "I don't know why judges keep
letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he gets out on bond.

"I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty for his
offense," he added.

Arpaio said the bond had not been set in the recent arrest.

If DMX remains jailed, the sheriff said he would be isolated from the rest
of the inmates for his own safety. "They may not like his music," he said.