Britney’s awaiting entourage, including bodyguards and friends, then argued with the store’s staff and with cops and fans.
But pals of the 26-year-old Toxic singer say Britney simply forgot to pay for the $200 long-sleeved vest. She was not arrested.
Britney was recently released from Los Angeles’ UCLA Medical Center - where she was on psychiatric hold.
With greasy black hair, Ms Spears - who’s currently locked in a bitter custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline - had spent Saturday afternoon shopping in leopard-print top and jeans. But she then emerged from the hip Fred Segal store in Melrose Avenue wearing the black top.
An onlooker said: “Britney seemed to be in a daze. She rushed around looking at coats and bags and then left with her gang of 25 people.
“The staff were just staring at each other, then said ‘I think she’s taken a top’. There was chaos outside with fans and police.”
This isn’t the first time Britney has been accused of stealing - she allegedly swapped a disposable lighter from a garage last December and a wig from a sex shop last year.
