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The complaint, filed by Christopher Toskos, alleges that on Nov. 12, 2022, hunters falsely told Mahwah police that he was armed and had fired a weapon in a wooded area behind fire company 3. The area is authorized for bow hunting, the lawsuit notes.
According to the complaint, the defendants claimed Toskos was dressed in a "ghillie suit," a type of camouflage, and alleged he fired a .22 caliber firearm in their direction. Police responded to both the wooded area and Toskos' home.
The lawsuit states that police arrested one of the defendants in the woods wearing a ghillie suit but still proceeded to surround Toskos' home with armed officers.
Toskos alleges the response escalated into a "swatting incident," with officers pointing assault rifles through the windows of his home, terrorizing him and others inside, including his girlfriend’s young daughter.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of intentionally or negligently providing false information and claims the Mahwah Police Department failed to properly investigate the report before taking action.
Toskos asserts that the incident caused severe emotional distress and jeopardized his family’s safety. The complaint also alleges a pattern of harassment against Toskos by the defendants over unrelated incidents.
Mahwah Police Chief Timothy O’Hara declined comment.
Filed in Bergen County Superior Court on Nov. 11, the lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as reimbursement for legal and medical expenses. Claims include negligent infliction of emotional distress, false reporting, civil rights violations, and failure by Mahwah Police to conduct a proper investigation.
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