Rapper Kanye West arrested after dust-up with paparazzi (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Grammy-award-winning rapper Kanye West was arrested Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport, reportedly after he and his bodyguard destroyed 10,000 dollars worth of camera equipment belonging to a paparrazzi, airport officials said.

The incident took place around 8:00 am as West prepared to board an airplane accompanied by his bodyguard while paparrazi tried to photograph and film him.

"Initial reports are that this involves a commercial photographer, paparazzi, and camera valued over 10,000 dollars," said Nancy Castles, an airport spokeswoman.

Airport police arrested West on charges of "felony vandalism," she said.

Celebrity watcher website said West rushed a still photographer, grabbing his camera and smashing it on the ground, in an altercation witnessed by a cameraman.

The bodyguard, who was also arrested, then confronted the cameraman, grabbing the camera and throwing it to the ground after ripping off the microphone and viewfinder, TMZ reported.

Police stopped West as he tried to board his plane. He later lunged at the cameraman in the presence of police officers, TMZ said. Officials said several witnesses were being interviewed by airport police.

West, 31, has won nine Grammy awards and raked in 21 million dollars on sales of his three albums, "The college dropout" (2004), "Late registration" (2005) and "Graduation" (2007).