Singer Mario Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting His Mother

 Mario -- the platinum-selling R&B singer -- was arrested in Baltimore on Friday for allegedly assaulting his own mother in an apartment they share.

According to police, Mario's mother Shawntia Hardaway -- a former heroin addict -- told cops Mario had been "throwing and damaging property" ... and pushed her around with his hands and forearms.

Cops say they found several broken items inside the apartment -- including a broken china cabinet, a busted mirror and a hole in the closet door.

Mario's mother also told police the 24-year-old singer had attacked her earlier in the week -- in which he pushed her "eight feet into a living room wall, where Ms. Hardaway hit her head on the wall."

Mario -- real name Mario Dewar Bennett -- was eventually arrested for 2nd degree assault. He released on $50,000 bond.