NY Tow Operator Sues Police Over Alleged Excessive Force

A towing company owner has filed a federal lawsuit against the Village of Freeport, Long Island and two police officers, alleging civil rights violations tied to the village’s vehicle seizure practices. The suit, filed May 4 in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, claims Daniel Donlon was unlawfully tackled, injured, and falsely arrested during a traffic stop involving a repossessed vehicle.

According to the complaint, Freeport uses a network of license plate readers, known as the “Ring of Steel,” to identify vehicles with expired or suspended registrations. Donlon alleges the system exists primarily to generate revenue through towing and impound fees.

The lawsuit stems from an August 2024 incident in which Donlon and an employee were transporting a repossessed Honda CRV through Freeport when police stopped the vehicle after its expired registration was detected. Donlon claims Officer Martin Zimmer violently tackled him after he refused to surrender the keys, causing a concussion and facial injuries. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $1 million per claim. Source: https://southshorepress.com