A group of people is accusing Tonawanda police of arresting a man because of his race.
Eric Martin was accused of trying to cash in a stolen lottery ticket at the Speedway on Kenmore Avenue on July 9.
Police say the day before, lottery tickets were stolen during a burglary.
Police took Martin into custody, but say he resisted. His attorney says that's because his two children were in the car.
His attorney also says police strip searched Martin at the station, which he called "unnecessary."
On top of that, New York State Lottery emailed the gas station, showing the ticket was not stolen.
Martin is not speaking to the public, but his family friend says this should be a learning lesson for police.
"What happened to Eric Martin can happen to any kid, particularly if he's a young Black man. I'd just like the public to know he's one of Buffalo's finest. And what happened to him shouldn't happen. Coming from the fact that this was a little bit after the George Floyd tragedy, you would think there would be some sensitivity,” said Charley Fisher, family friend of Eric Martin.
The charges against Martin have been dropped.