Oscar nominated documentary maker Steven Cantor was arrested in New York on Friday (28Nov14) after a security guard at an Upper West Side Century 21 department store allegedly spotted him switching price tags on a pair of jeans.

The writer/director of 1994 Academy Award hopeful Blood Ties: The Life and Work of Sally Mann was arrested for shoplifting.

The Emmy Award-winning filmmaker reportedly attempted to mark down a pair of $500 (Gbp333) Dolce & Gabbana pants by switching tags with a less-expensive pair.

Cantor was detained at the store until police officers arrived. They issued him a desk-appearance ticket for petit larceny, according to the New York Post.