Connecticut State Police announced early Monday that they had apprehended a suspect linked to a violent traffic stop in Belleville, New Jersey. The driver, alleged to have hit a police officer while the officer attempted to stop the vehicle near Branch Brook Park, was found around 2 a.m. in New Britain, about 100 miles from the original incident.
Incident in New Jersey
On Sunday morning, two Belleville officers attempted to pull over a vehicle near Branch Brook Park. According to Mayor Frank Vélez, one officer was struck by the suspect’s car, prompting the other officer to fire his weapon before the suspect fled the scene. The injured officer’s wounds were described as non‑life‑threatening.
Witness accounts
Eyewitness David Vazquez, a Newark resident, relayed that his friend was on his way to a football game when he saw an officer get run over. He reported hearing gunshots that struck his own car’s windows, adding to the chaos at the scene.
Arrest in Connecticut
Connecticut troopers tracked the suspect’s vehicle to New Britain and took the driver into custody overnight. Police have not released the suspect’s identity pending further investigation.
Authorities’ response
Both New Jersey and Connecticut law‑enforcement agencies emphasized cooperation across state lines to quickly locate the suspect. The incident underscores the dangers officers face during routine traffic stops and the importance of rapid inter‑agency communication.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.
