A Brooklyn resident has filed a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department and the New York City Department of Sanitation, alleging that the agencies unlawfully removed and destroyed his motorbikes.
According to the lawsuit filed by plaintiff Tobias R. Reid, the incident allegedly occurred on September 13, 2025, when two unidentified agents from the New York City Police Department’s 67th Precinct and the Department of Sanitation removed and destroyed Reid’s motorbikes without prior notification. Surveillance footage from Reid’s residence reportedly captured the defendants in the act. Reid attempted to file a report on September 14, 2025, but was informed that the responding officer had entered an incorrect date of June 14 instead of September 14.
Reid’s complaint cites federal law under 28 U.S.C. Section 1983, which allows individuals to sue state or local government officials for alleged violations of constitutional rights. He claims his rights were violated through the unauthorized removal and destruction of his motorbikes. As a tenant at his Brooklyn address since 2019, Reid maintains that he was entitled to park and secure his property there.
Reid is seeking compensatory damages of $200,000 for the alleged removal and destruction of his motorbikes and custom-built trailer attachments. He is also requesting punitive damages of $100,000, as well as injunctive relief to prevent any future incidents involving retaliation from the city departments.
The plaintiff is representing himself in this matter. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID: 25-cv-05275-RPK-VMS.