A suit filed by a Lewiston man against the city of Westbrook claims he was stopped by police and handcuffed because he is a black man.

The Sun Journal reports Vincent Oden’s attorney filed the suit in regard to a traffic stop in January of 2018. The suit says Oden was stopped in Westbrook after passing through an area where firetrucks were responding to a snapped utility pole. Oden said other white drivers passing through were not stopped.

The suit says he was handcuffed without being read his Miranda rights, and despite passing a field sobriety test, was arrested for possession of prescription medicine which he says he had for an injured Achilles tendon. Further tests at Cumberland County Jail showed Oden was not under the influence.

Oden was then released but bail conditions prevented him from pursuing his primary business venture, which was opening a barbecue restaurant that serves alcohol. The suit says Oden lost that business because of his bail conditions. The charge and bail conditions were later dropped.

Westbrook city officials have not offered public comment.