Long Island Man Claims Town Destroyed His Classic Cars

ISLIP TERRACE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A man is suing the Town of Islip, alleging it illegally entered his garage and destroyed his three classic cars.

Arthur Schnittger said the town sent him letters stating his family's house in Islip Terrace would have to be demolished following an arson fire in 2014.

Schnittger told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that the town said it was going to do the work as part of its blight program, but never said anything about the detached garage, where he kept three vintage Chevys.

"I had a '36 Chevy pickup truck that was restored. I had two other cars in there -- a '38 Chevy and a '40 Chevy Coupe," Schnittger said. "These cars have been under my protection for 40 years."

Schnittger claims the town hired a company in January and, without his knowledge, broke into his garage and took the cars to a junkyard.

"They claim that the vehicles were crushed," Schnittger said. "I find it hard to believe that a crusher would take a '36 Chevy pickup and crush it for $200 in scrap."

The 69-year-old said the town should have never been on his property without his permission.

He is now suing the town for $125,000.

The town filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.