The suit alleged Lakewood police harassed the boyfriend and girlfriend upon learning of the lawsuit
A boyfriend and girlfriend who alleged Lakewood police falsely arrested them on defiant trespassing charges and later repeatedly harassed them have settled their lawsuit for $55,000.
Victor Wilson and Maria Rizzolo were both arrested during a burglary investigation even though a witness told police that it was committed by a white man with bushy hair, they alleged in their suit. Victor Wilson is black and has never had bushy hair, while the other plaintiff, Maria Rizzolo, is female.
The news was first reported by NJ Civil Settlements, which provides a partial list of of settlements paid by New Jersey government agencies and their insurers to those who have sued them.
Police took the pair into custody after they alleged they found bolt cutters, a sledgehammer and wire cutters following a motor vehicle stop. In fact, the plaintiffs had hedge clippers with long wooden handles for trimming shrubs, an ordinary hammer and a pair of pliers in the vehicle, the suit states.
Rizzolo also alleged police pressured her to finger Wilson as the burglar. She asserts in the suit that officers pulled her two children out of their elementary school in Brick and brought them to police headquarters so they could see their mother in handcuffs.
Wilson eventually served 11 months in Ocean County jail before a judge suppressed the evidence against him because police lacked probable cause, the suit alleges.
After his release from jail, Wilson said police repeatedly harassed him when they learned he filed the suit. One one occasion, Wilson alleges he was ordered out of a car at gunpoint.
In agreeing to the settlement, Lakewood police admit no wrongdoing.
Wilson and Rizzolo, former Brick residents, have since moved out of the area and now reside in Gloucester City.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
