Chico DeBarge is famous for making hits with his family members in the '80s ... but cops say he tried to throw one of them under the bus during his latest arrest.
The DeBarge singer got busted in Burbank when he was pulled over near a shopping center on January 13. Cops say he was driving without his headlights on at night and didn't have license plates.
Burbank PD tells us ... Chico didn't have ID, but identified himself as James ... his older brother, who was also in the family singing group back in the day.
According to police ... Chico was driving with 2 female passengers, and cops found methamphetamines and heroin on him during a search. He was arrested, and we're told he was properly ID'd during the booking process.
Chico's been charged with drug possession, DUI and yes ... cops hit him with a false impersonation charge for the alleged brother act.
After nearly 10 days in jail, Chico finally made bail on Friday.
Chico's admittedly struggled with addiction for years, and was arrested 2 other times -- in late 2019 and also in 2007 -- for drug possession.