Complaint #200502196,
February 20, 2005

Summary

On February 20, 2005 at 12:10am, [redacted] exited the subway at Morningside Avenue and 125th Street in Manhattan, after taking the C train from 14th Street. [redacted] telephoned his girlfriend and walked north on Convent Avenue towards his grandmother's house. He considered taking the bus and stopped briefly at 125th Street but changed his mind and continued walking north three blocks until he was stopped by three uniformed officers driving in what looked to be a "disguised" yellow taxi. An officer later determined to be Sgt. Gregory Pekera - exited the vehicle and told [redacted] to put his hands up and to hang up the phone. [redacted] attempted to explain what was happening to his girlfriend for approximately ten seconds, at which point Sgt. Pekera, who was standing on [redacted] right side, slapped [redacted] right hand, knocking the cell phone to the ground. [redacted] provided his driver's license and school ID, which Sgt. Pekera took inside the taxi to PO Daniel Fox, who remained in the driver's seat during the entire incident. The second officer - later determined to be PO Anthony Lucas then searched [redacted] pockets, handcuffed him, and pushed him against the wall. PO Lucas searched him again and made him sit on the ground. PO Lucas questioned [redacted] about prior arrests, told him that he fit the description of a robbery suspect, and tried to convince him to go down to the precinct for a lineup. When [redacted] refused, he was released from the handcuffs and allowed to leave. Before walking away, [redacted] requested the names and badge numbers of both officers, which they provided. Sgt. Pekera stated, "I don't give a fuck if you take my badge number, it means one less day up here with y'all." [redacted] wrote down the names and badge numbers of both officers; he identified the two officers on the complaint form he filled out at the 28th Precinct. [redacted] did not sustain any injuries from the incident. Read report for details.