A man is facing charges for allegedly stealing a crane and spray painting the words "Bird God" on the Grand Army Plaza arch on Sunday.

Police say 36-year-old Denis Shelagin, from Spokane Valley, Washington, somehow got hold of a cherry picker and sprayed the graffiti onto the iconic arch.

Police say he was taken into custody shortly afterward.

It's not clear how he got access to the crane.

Shelagin is charged with criminal mischief, possession of a graffiti instrument and graffiti.