Man files lawsuit over false arrest in Pa.

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HARMONY, Pa., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania man Monday filed suit against the town of Harmony and two police officers, alleging he was wrongly jailed for nearly five weeks.

Tyrone Anthony Lett's troubles with Harmony police began on July 4, 2011, when police showed up to search for illegal fireworks allegedly hidden in his garage, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The officers apparently left Lett's garage in a disheveled state and refused to clean it up, the suit states.

Then, on July 28, Lett's wife was picked up by an unknown man against her will. The man later released her but police were allegedly angry with Lett for repeatedly calling 911. Police officers showed up at Lett's home later that day when the plaintiff and his wife were arguing and arrested and charged him with simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment, the suit said.

Those charges were later dropped, but police discovered a 2002 bench warrant against Lett, 43, from California and held him in jail for five weeks.

Lett said the warrant was invalid because he had served out his term of parole.

As a result of being incarcerated, Lett missed work and lost his job, his suit alleged.

Harmony Township police Sgt. James Essek and officer Jason A. Vular are listed as defendants in the false arrest and malicious prosecution lawsuit.

Neither the township nor the police officers have responded.