DETROIT (AP) — A graffiti artist commissioned by the city of Detroit to paint a mural on a viaduct was arrested by police who believed he was committing vandalism.

Sheefy McFly, 29, whose real name is Tashif Turner, was arrested Wednesday. Detroit commissioned him as part of a multi-year effort to fight illegal graffiti with city-approved artwork.

McFly says he didn't have his city-issued permit with him. He says multiple police cars arrived on site even as a city official showed up to vouch for him.

"The city is pyaing me to do this and I'm going to jail for it, it was an oxymoron," McFly told 7 Action News.

Police spokeswoman Nicole Kirkwood says officers found McFly uncooperative. She says the disagreement led to McFly being arrested on suspicion of resisting and obstructing and on a warrant for an old parking ticket.

McFly says he was treated like a felon and felt threatened.

"I'm a muralist. I'm an artist, like this is my entrepreneur, and they stopped me for that," he added.