Actor Russell Brand wanted for throwing photographer's iPhone out a window

(CBS/Reuters) NEW ORLEANS - An arrest warrant has been issued in New Orleans for actor Russell Brand after a photographer accused Brand of grabbing his iPhone and tossing it through a window, police said Thursday.

The New Orleans police department tells TMZ a misdemeanor warrant for simple criminal damage to property was issued following Brand's run-in with the photographer. The offense carries a $700 fine, said police spokesman officer Garry Flot.

Brand allegedly threw the iPhone out of a law firm's window. TMZ has posted photos of Brand pulling an iPhone from a man in a car. Another photo shows a broken window.

The paparazzi photographer filed a police report over the Monday incident.

A spokesman for Brand could not be reached for comment on the arrest warrant.

However, Brand defended himself with a post on his Twitter page on Wednesday: "Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently, what I did was a tribute to his memory," he tweeted.

It was unclear if Brand had left New Orleans, and Flot declined to say if police are trying to track him down.