Suspect in Bronx shooting of NYPD officers appears in court

BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) -- The suspect in the shooting of two NYPD officers in the Bronx returned to court Monday.

Jason Polanco, 24, faces attempted murder, assault and robbery charges in incident, during which he allegedly opened fire on five off-duty plainclothes officers who were searching for suspects in a robbery.

The other person involved in the alleged robbery that led to the shooting, 28-year-old Joshua Kemp, did not have to appear in court. His attorney was present, pointing out that his client has not been charged with some of the more serious offenses like attempted murder. He remains jailed on $200,000 bail on robbery charges.

Officers Aliro Pellerano and Andrew Dossi were both wounded. Pellerano, 38, was shot in the chest and arm and was released Wednesday from St. Barnabas Hospital. Dossi, 30, was struck in the arm and lower back and required surgery.

Dossi was transferred from St Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx to Mount Sinai Medical Center on the Upper East Side to continue his rehabilitation.

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. at East 184th Street and Tiebout Avenue. Near the corner of East 184th Street, authorities say the officers saw Polanco and Kemp and identified them as possible suspects. As they approached them, Polanco reportedly entered a Chinese restaurant on Tiebout Avenue and ordered a Snapple while Kemp remained outside. The officers walked up to Kemp, and that's when they say Polanco opened fire on the officers, one of whom returned fire.

Police said Kemp was struck by the bullet fired through the window of the Chinese restaurant, which went through his right bicep and hit one of the officers.

The two suspects then fled on foot toward Marion Avenue, with Polanco allegedly firing two more shots at the officers before carjacking a white Camaro. Dossi and Pellerano were wounded in the exchange.

Polanco, of the Bronx, was taken into custody early Tuesday afternoon. He was being closely tracked by detectives, who had determined his daily routine after his name was provided by multiple tipsters who saw his picture and called CrimeStoppers.

Police said he was caught on security camera at the Chinese restaurant just before the officers were shot.

Kemp is believed to have shown up with a gunshot wound at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center at 11 p.m. Monday. He has been in police custody at the hospital since then.

Police said Kemp initially told them he had been shot on Dyckman Street in Inwood, but his story quickly fell apart when police identified the guy that drove him to the hospital. Then, he reportedly gave up the entire story.

Polanco was remanded and charged with attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and assault.

Kemp was charged with robbery, grand larceny, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.