NYPD officer struck as suspect flees traffic stop in Brooklyn

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Officer struck as suspect flees traffic stopA police officer's foot was run over by a stolen car speeding away from a traffic stop in the East New York section of Brooklyn.

EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A police officer's foot was run over by a stolen car speeding away from a traffic stop in Brooklyn early Wednesday.

Officers pulled over the BMW SUV on Cozine and Pennsylvania avenues in East New York around 3:30 a.m.

During the stop, the driver suddenly sped away, running over the officer's foot

The officer's partner fired a shot at the fleeing vehicle, but no one was struck.

The BMW was found abandoned at 95th Avenue and 84th Street in Queens.

Officers searched the Ozone Park neighborhood and found the suspect, 30-year-old Justin Santiago, of Staten Island.

Santiago has about 35 prior arrests, many for petit larcenies but others for reckless endangerment, aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle, and grand larceny auto.

He was taken to Brookdale University Hospital for a shoulder injury

Charges against him are pending.

Both officers in the traffic stop were taken to the hospital, with the second officer being treated for tinnitus, or ringing of the ears.

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