SEATTLE -- Police here have agreed to pay for their mistake after they arrested a man for taking pictures on a city street.

Bogdan Mohora snapped two photos last November on Pike Street near Second Avenue as two police officers were arresting a man.

"I'm a Belltown resident and sometimes things happen that I think are photoworthy just for my own personal, you know, consumption," he said.

But the two officers captured in the picture apparently did not like having their picture taken. They and asked Mohora for his camera, leaving him dumbfounded.

"As far as I knew, taking photos of public officials on a public street was perfectly legal," Mohora said.

The practice is legal, but the two officers handcuffed Mohora and confiscated his camera, bag and wallet. They then put him in the patrol car along with the other man they arrested.

"I was kind of shocked and a little afraid," he said.

After all, Mohora said he was just walking down the street, taking care of some errands like many others do every day.

Mohora said he sat in a cell at the West Precinct for 90 minutes.

When the officers finally released him, he said they told him he could be charged with disturbing the peace, provoking a riot or endangering an officer.

Mohora contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and the group filed a claim on his behalf.

"We know that Bogdan was taking pictures of an arrest and they did not want those pictures taken," said ACLU attorney Sarah Dunne.

Seattle Police Sgt. Deanna Nolette said the department launched an investigation as soon as the complaint was filed. The probe found that the officers had acted inappropriately and each officer received a written reprimand.

"Police department acknowledged that it was a wrongful arrest, so I'm happy with the outcome," Mohora said.

The city settled the case this week and agreed to pay Mohara $8,000.