Russell Brand was taken into custody by New Orleans police on Thursday and booked for simple criminal damage after a photographer accused the British comedian and actor of grabbing his iPhone and tossing it through a window, authorities said. Bail was set at $5,000 for Brand, said New Orleans police spokesman Officer Garry Flot. Brand was released shortly after his arrest, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. Celebrity website TMZ posted photos of “Get Him to the Greek” star Brand, in a dark jacket and torn jeans pulling an iPhone from a man in a car. Another photo on the site shows a broken window through which Brand was said to have thrown the phone. The paparazzi photographer filed a police report over the incident, which happened on Monday. Flot said he did not know where Brand was arrested or whether the actor turned himself or was taken into custody against his will. __
