Sam Worthington (Wiki Commons)
Sam Worthington (Wiki Commons)Wiki Commons

Actor Sam Worthington, best known for his role in the 2009 blockbuster "Avatar," was arrested Sunday night for allegedly punching a paparazzo.

New York City police said that the actor got into an altercation with a photographer now recognized as Sheng Li, who allegedly kicked Worthington's 26-year-old partner in the shins.

According to CNN, the incident took place at 5:30 pm on Sunday, 23 February in Greenwhich village.

While the police have not named the female companion in question, the Daily Telegraph has reported that Sam Worthington yelled "You kicked my wife" during the scuffle and the woman companion was none other than his partner, Lara Bingle. The outlet also notes that the incident and his reported yelling, fuels speculation that the couple may have secretly tied the knot.

Televsion footage shows that Bingle herself was heavily involved in the drama that unfolded on Sunday evening.

The newspaper has said that police were called and Worthington was then cuffed and put into a paddy wagon. He was charged with assault and was issued a desk appearance ticket. The 37-year-old photographer, meanwhile, was charged with assault, harassment and reckless endangerment. Additionally, the photographer, who reportedly lives in Manhattan, does not have press credentials.

A twitter user also posted a message about how he had witnessed the scuffle. 

This is not the first time Worthington has been arrested after a scuffle. The Australian actor was arrested outside Atlanta restaurant, The Viortex, in November, 2012 after he arrived there drunk. When he was reportedly refused entry after the security said that he "looked homeless", Worthington allegedly responded with: "Im a DEA agent, you f***ed up now."