Amanda Bynes just can't stop making headlines. This time the 28-year-old star was reportedly caught shoplifting a pricey hat from upscale department store Barneys in New York City. However, Bynes claims that the incident was just a mix-up.

According to a report from Uinterview News, police were called to the posh Madison Avenue shop on Wednesday Oct. 8 at approximately 2:30 p.m. EST after Bynes allegedly walked out of Barneys wearing a $200 hat that she had not paid for.

Bynes, who was escorted back into the store after her unexpected departure, told security that she hadn't meant to shoplift the hat and that her actions were accidental.

The "Easy A" starlet claimed that the mishap started with fans following her around the store and harassing her, causing her to become distracted and that she had only stepped out of the store to retrieve her purse from her car and intended to come right back and continue shopping, Beauty World News reports.

According to various news outlets, Bynes elaborated on the entire misunderstanding later in the day on Wednesday during a phone interview with People magazine.

"I had been harassed by a man," Bynes explained. "A man and this woman were basically trying to take my picture inside the store, and so I asked them to stop taking it but they wouldn't, they were like paparazzi."

Bynes said that she put the hat on her head to hide from the photogs and that during the confusion she realized that she'd left her purse in her car and stepped outside of the department store to go retrieve it.

"I walked out of the store, and the sensor went off," Bynes said. "I didn't realize I was wearing my cap. And the cap -- I was purchasing it and I was actually still shopping."

Bynes also alleged that one of the security guards who was working at the time knew that was just stepping out for a moment and meant to return right away, but that there was reportedly a miscommunication with another guard on-duty.

Although police had been summoned to the scene, Bynes was able to work out an agreement with the clothing store before officers arrived. The star says that Barneys promised they would let her go without filing any charges if she would simply agree to sign a waiver promising never to re-enter the premises again.

"I basically just had to leave," Bynes reportedly told People. "They said, 'please just don't shop at Barneys anymore.' But oh well, it's fine."

After she was let go, police did show up and issued an official statement on the incident, Ace Show Biz reported.

Regarding the incident, a spokesperson for the NYPD told reporters that "police responded to a petit larceny. Amanda Bynes placed a hat on her head and left the store. Security brought her back in and called the police, but the security decided to release her...she was gone when the NYPD arrived on the scene."

Aside from today's antics, Bynes also made headlines earlier this week when she dropped the news that not only is she involved in a long-distance relationship, but that she is now engaged to be married.

Bynes told In Touch on Sunday that her 19-year-old beau is named Caleb and lives in Costa Mesa, California, where he reportedly works at a bait shop. She said that she's hoping he will soon move to the east coast to "settle down" with her in New York City.

Bynes revealed to the tabloid that, although no wedding date has been set yet, she wants to host her nuptials at The London Hotel in Los Angeles. The actress also told In Touch that after she and Caleb get hitched she wants to start a family with him, saying of her future progeny, "I want boys, for sure. However many I can pop out."

For the latest news & updates, follow reporter Bary Alyssa Johnson on Twitter: @MissBary