MERRILLVILLE | Owners of the shuttered teen roller rink on Whitcomb Street are suing the town for $7.5 million, alleging that a pattern of police harassment forced closure of the "lucrative" business.

Antwan Thorbs, who ran The Rink and owns its corporate parent Golemine Inc., states in his federal civil lawsuit that police "manufactured" evidence to use against him in hearings on alleged violations of town nuisance laws.

Town Attorney Steve Bower said the town only had received the May 5 lawsuit about two days ago and declined to comment further.

The roller rink has a checkered history in the town. Though its supporters say it gives teens something to do during evening hours, local businesses and residents frequently complain about the large and sometimes unruly crowds that congregate.

Last November, a juvenile had his jaw broken and face cut after he was punched in the mouth during a fight with another juvenile patron, police records allege.

And in February, an Illinois police officer who was working as a security guard for The Rink was charged with battering a Merrillville officer outside the club following a Saturday night altercation.

Town officials say they have received many complaints about how the business handled the hundreds of teens who left en masse and flooded local streets when the business closed late Friday and Saturday nights.

The lawsuit alleges the town began harassing The Rink's owners in February 2007 and manufactured evidence to use against the business during a series of hearings on nuisance law violations.

On March 7, Town Manager Tim Brown suspended The Rink's business license for 60 days.

A message on the business' voicemail states that the building was closed for 60 days for extensive renovations.