A Fairfield police officer was injured after a man on a stolen moped accelerated toward him and struck him head-on while the officer was responding to a reported theft on Thursday evening, police said.
A 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, both from Bridgeport, were arrested on Thursday after the incident, which occurred on Brentwood Avenue, according to the Fairfield Police Department.
Around 6:40 p.m., officers responded to a call reporting that two people were repeatedly entering a residential property and removing items. While police were searching the area, they spotted the two men, who matched the descriptions provided by the caller, riding on a moped, police said.
An officer who was on foot ordered the driver to stop. Instead, police said the moped swerved around a stopped vehicle and accelerated directly toward the officer, striking him head-on and knocking him to the ground.
The officer was injured, but continued to help apprehend both men before he got medical treatment. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for multiple lacerations and significant bleeding. As of Friday, he remains out of work, according to police.
“This officer was hurt doing his job, responding to a call of two individuals on someone’s property removing items,” Fairfield Police Chief Michael Paris said in a statement. “Despite being struck and injured while attempting to apprehend them, he continued to assist in taking both individuals into custody. I am incredibly proud of his actions and his commitment to protecting our community.”
An investigation determined that the moped was stolen out of Stratford. Officers also found four bags with the items that were taken from the residential property. The items were returned to the residence, police said.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. The 28-year-old was also charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, assault of a police officer, and interfering with an officer.
The 28-year-old was held on $100,000 bond. The 20-year-old had three active arrest warrants out of Stamford and was held on a total bond of $40,000.
Both men are scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Oct. 1.
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