BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — A judge delayed Winona Ryder's hearing on shoplifting and drug charges after the actress suffered an apparent arm injury as she pushed through a throng of reporters after a lunch break.

Ryder, 30, had arrived late for Monday's hearing, in time for only brief testimony by a store security official before a lunch break.

When she returned from lunch, her attorney Mark Geragos was at her right side as she walked through the crowd of reporters. Television footage showed a sheriff's deputy appearing to collide with a cameraman, who fell into the diminutive actress from the left. As the deputy stumbled, Ryder, who had been smiling, suddenly winced in pain.

Ryder was cradling her left elbow after emerging from the group of reporters at the courthouse door, leading prosecutors to raise questions about which arm was really hurt, said Jane Robison, a district attorney spokeswoman.

Geragos said later that she was "whacked" on her right elbow from behind. She was holding her left arm in order to elevate her right arm, which she had previously broken about a year ago while filming the upcoming comedy "Mr. Deeds," he said.

Geragos said she broke her right arm.

"She's in a lot of pain," Geragos added.

When Ryder emerged from the judge's chambers she had a large white bandage on her right elbow. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox said Ryder would be seen by a physician and the hearing would be delayed.

He asked Ryder if that was OK with her.

"Yes, your honor," said the actress, who was nominated for Oscars for 1993's "The Age of Innocence" and 1994's "Little Women."

Fox also chided the media for aggressive attempts to photograph her. He instructed them to stay seated as she left and to remain at least 10 feet away from her as she went to her car.

The preliminary hearing was set to resume Thursday morning. It will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to put her on trial.

Ryder allegedly shoplifted $4,800 worth of items from a Saks Fifth Avenue on Dec. 12, and had in her possession the painkiller Oxycodone without a prescription. She was charged with one count each of grand theft, burglary, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance. She is free on $20,000 bail.