Russekk Brand arrested in U.S.A.

**Panda** Fri 16 Mar - 7:14

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Russell Brand was arrested and bailed in New Orleans, police say
1:51am UK, Friday March 16, 2012

Russell Brand has been arrested in the US after allegedly grabbing a photographer's phone and throwing it through a window.
The comedian and actor was taken into custody by New Orleans police last night and booked for a charge of simple criminal damage to property valued at $700 (£445),authorities said.

Bail was set at $5,000 (£3,183) and the Essex-born star was released shortly after his arrest, police spokesman Garry Flot said.

Celebrity website TMZ claimed the charges relate to a confrontation with a paparazzi who was trying to take a photo of Brand.

The site posted a photo appearing to show Brand pulling an iPhone from a man in a car.

Another photo showed a broken window through which Brand was said to have thrown the mobile.

Police said the photographer filed a report over the alleged incident, which happened on Monday.

Neither Brand nor his publicist could immediately be reached for comment.

But the 36-year-old star defended himself with an ironic comment on his Twitter page.

"Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently, what I did was a tribute