Black HBO actor says NYC Macy’s stopped him because of his race, files lawsuit against it

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A black actor on the HBO drama series “Treme” says he was stopped because of his race while shopping at a New York City Macy’s department store and has filed a lawsuit against it.

Robert Brown’s lawsuit comes after two other black shoppers made similar claims against Barneys New York this week.

Brown’s lawsuit was filed Friday and seeks unspecified monetary damages. It says Brown was stopped by police at the Macy’s Herald Square store after employees contacted authorities about possible credit card fraud.

Brown’s lawsuit says it was over sunglasses, but he said at a news conference it was a $1,300 watch bought for his mother.

Brown says he was handcuffed and searched before being released. He says he was targeted because he’s black.

Macy’s says it’s investigating the claim.