Got a unpleasant incidence with gas station in NY

I was driving in my neighborhood in New York State and a traffic light was off and cars were backed up. So I decided to drive into the gas station at the corner and tried to come out from the other exit. Then this guy from gas station came out and started nagging me with a lecture like: "you shouldn't cut through, I will take down your car plate # and give to police (who is right at the corner) or you have to drive back. ". Well,looking at this greasy guy and not knowing what kind of nut he is, i backed out. I think he still took down my plate #. First of all, I wonder if he was BS me about give me a ticket? What kind of law is that, if there is any? Secondly, what can people do with other people's plate #? I hate to think people find out my address and start to harrass us, considering those crazy nut cases. Thanks