Wrong Man, Violent Arrest: Brooklyn Resident Files $100 Million Claim Against NYPD

A Brooklyn man who says he was mistakenly identified as a suspect and beaten by police inside a liquor store has filed a $100 million legal claim against the New York Police Department, in a case that is drawing scrutiny over the use of force and investigative tactics.

Timothy Brown, a 46-year-old home health aide, was detained during what police have described as a narcotics operation. His attorneys say he had no connection to the investigation.

Video of the encounter, widely circulated online, appears to show officers striking Brown, forcing him to the ground and dragging him across the floor of the store. He was later released, and charges were dropped.

In a notice of claim filed this week, Brown alleges assault, false arrest and lasting physical injuries, including mobility issues that now require a cane. “This was a case of mistaken identity,” his attorney said, “followed by unnecessary force.”

The New York Police Department said the officers involved have been placed on modified duty pending an internal review. The unit connected to the incident is also under scrutiny.

The filing is a required first step toward a lawsuit against the city. Legal experts say cases involving video evidence and disputed identification can become focal points in broader debates over police accountability.

For Brown, the claim formalizes what he describes as a life-altering encounter. The legal fight, his attorneys say, is just beginning.