New Orleans police sought and received a misdemeanour warrant for simple criminal damage to property on 14.03.12 in response to the incident where Russell allegedly wrestled an iPhone out of paparazzo Timothy Jackson`s hand and hurled it at a nearby building, according to gossip website TMZ.

In a police report, Timothy claims he was with a group of photographers when he spotted the comedian and began taking pictures of him on his phone from his car.

He alleged Russell snatched the phone and threw it at an office, shattering a window in the process.

A man from inside the office said the actor has offered to pay for the damage and that the phone was returned to the photographer.

Meanwhile, Russell made light of the incident, joking it was a tribute to late Apple founder Steve Jobs who died after a long cancer battle in October 2011.

He wrote on twitter: "Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently. What I did was a tribute to his memory."
sections: Celebrities