Neptune resident says Freehold Township police accused him of committing burglaries after his arm was struck by the mirror of a pick-up truck
A Shore man who claimed he was falsely arrested by Freehold Township police because he's black settled his lawsuit for $80,000.
Mateek U. Pugh of Neptune Township was charged with criminal mischief, resisting arrest and aggravated assault after he says his arm was struck by the side-view mirror of a pick-up truck while crossing a township street at about 9 p.m. on June 12, 2012.
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The news was first reported by NJ Civil Settlements, which provides a partial list of settlements paid by New Jersey government agencies and their insurers to those who have sued them.
Pugh's suit said responding officer Jack Mandala turned him from a pedestrian struck by a vehicle into "a stereotypical angry, intoxicated, black male suspect."
The officer accused Pugh of committing burglaries in the area after finding a television remote control in his jacket pocket, court papers state. Pugh said the officer grabbed his injured arm, pinned him against the hood of the patrol car and handcuffed him.
The lawsuit also alleges that the driver of the truck, Brian R. Graga, was dating the daughter of a Freehold Township police sergeant. Graga called his girlfriend after striking Pugh in order to get her father to the scene at the intersection of Robertsville and East Freehold roads, according to the lawsuit.
When the now 33-year-old Pugh filed the lawsuit in June 2014, he asked for $1,000,000 in damages. The suit was settled earlier this month.
Freehold Township admitted no wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.