New York's Naked Cowboy cuffed in Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 27 (UPI) -- New York's Naked Cowboy says California cops didn't recognize him as a famed East Coast busker when they nabbed him for singing in his briefs a public plaza.

Robert Burck, known as the Naked Cowboy for playing a guitar in New York's Times Square in his underwear and a cowboy hat, was taken into police custody Friday in San Francisco, the New York Post reported.

Burck said police initially didn't realize who he was and made fun of his skimpy outfit.

"It was non-stop. They're laughing hysterically because there's this guy in his underwear. Then they were like, 'Oh, that's the Naked Cowboy'," he told the newspaper.

Police accused the Cowboy of breaking rules that prohibit soliciting and playing an instrument in San Francisco's Union Square.

Burck was cited for "violating a posted sign" and is to appear in court Monday, the newspaper said.