Owner of car painted with swastika allegedly by Torrance police wants $6 million in damages

On January 27, 2020, Kiley Swaine and his friend, were arrested by Torrance Police Department police officers Cody Weldin and Christopher Tomsic for Burglary and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Kiley Swaine was just accompanying his friend, who is homeless, as he rummaged through dumpsters.

Pursuant to that arrest, Kiley Swaine’s car, a 2004 Hyundai, was impounded, and Kiley Swaine was taken to the Torrance City Jail and booked on the theft charges. Later on, the police determined that Kiley Swaine was an innocent man, and the criminal charges were dropped against him.

Kiley Swaine’s then drove his vandalized car home. While he did so, the protein powder blew all over him and his car’s interior. Claimant was extremely upset and felt violated. Moreover, being unable to use the passenger side mirror made it a safety hazard.

Thereafter, Claimant obtained one estimate to repair the exterior of his vandalized car, and another one to repair the interior of the vehicle.

The tow yard paid for the damages to Swaine’s car.

On October 2, 2020 Kiley Swaine received two letters from the Los Angeles County of Probation Office; said letters informing him that criminal felony charges had been filed against (now former) Torrance Police Department police officers Cody Weldin and Christopher Tomsic for vandalizing his car on January 27, 2020.

Those letters from the Los Angeles County Probation Department to Kiley Swaine were the first notice that he had that either Cody Weldin or Christopher Tomsic, or, that any Torrance Police Department police officer had vandalized his car.

Mr. Swaine thereafter sued the City of Torrance and former Torrance Police Department police officer Cody Weldin and Christopher Tomsic. That case is presently pending, and is assigned to United States District Judge Mark Scarsi.

Mr. Swaine’s Attorney, Jerry L. Steering, Esq. can be contacted at (949) 474-1849; jerry@steeringlaw.com