Black man sues Evanston police for excessive force, arrest

CHICAGO (AP) - A suburban Chicago police department is being sued for excessive force and false arrest by a black man who was pulled over for suspected car theft while he was driving his own vehicle.

Lawrence Crosby was stopped in October 2015 by Evanston police after a woman reported a black man in a hoodie looked like he was breaking into car.

Attorney Tim Touhy said his client, an engineering student seeking a doctorate at Northwestern University, was repairing loose molding.

A video released Wednesday shows the then 25-year-old Crosby's car being stopped and him getting out with hands in the air. He is forced to the ground and handcuffed. After it was determined Crosby owned the vehicle he was charged with disobeying a police officer and resisting arrest. He was acquitted last year.

Evanston Police Sgt. Dennis Leaks says the officers' actions were found to be in compliance with department procedures.