A routine traffic stop on Long Island turned physical after a driver refused to produce his license and registration, leading to multiple punches from a Suffolk County officer captured on the motorist’s own dashcam.
Craig Manning, 49, of Medford, was pulled over on April 2 or 3, 2026, near North Ocean Avenue and Horseblock Road for an alleged illegal left turn. According to reports and the dashcam footage, Manning declined to hand over his documents and repeatedly demanded to speak with a supervisor first while recording the encounter on his phone.
Officer Robert Rufrano entered the passenger side of Manning’s Fiat 500 after the driver unlocked the door. Video shows Rufrano knocking the phone aside, grabbing Manning’s arm, and delivering several closed-fist strikes to his head and face, reports put the number at six or seven, while Officer Samantha Skippon worked from the driver’s side to remove him. Officers can be heard ordering Manning to “stop resisting.” At one point, Manning responded, “Are you having fun? Punch me again!”
Manning suffered a concussion, black eyes, and a cut to his forehead, along with wrist injuries. He was charged with resisting arrest and traffic violations. On June 8, 2026, a Suffolk County District Court judge granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, meaning the charges are set to be dropped if he stays out of further legal trouble.
Manning and his attorney, Frederick K. Brewington, have filed notice of a federal civil rights lawsuit against Suffolk County, Rufrano, Skippon, and the department. They allege excessive force and racial discrimination, claiming the stop and the force used were influenced by Manning’s race. Brewington has described the officer’s actions as “completely out of control” and stated there was “no weapon” and that Manning “was not threatening anybody.”
Suffolk County police have declined to comment, citing the pending litigation, and referred the matter to Internal Affairs. Some accounts note that the police union has defended the officers, arguing Manning created the situation by refusing lawful orders.
The dashcam video, which Manning’s team released publicly in June, has circulated widely. It shows a clear escalation once compliance was refused. Traffic stops require drivers to provide identification and registration upon request; failure to do so is a violation that officers are authorized to address. While the repeated punches have drawn criticism and form the basis of the lawsuit, the sequence began with non-compliance rather than any initial use of force.
Cases like this often hinge on whether the force was reasonable given the resistance. Manning’s legal team is pressing for accountability, including calls for Rufrano’s arrest. The department maintains its standard posture of not discussing active matters. The outcome will likely turn on how courts view the dashcam evidence against the officers’ reported accounts of resistance.
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