By: Richard L. Smith
A Belleville police officer was injured after being struck by a fleeing BMW during a police encounter Sunday evening that also involved an officer discharging his firearm.
According to Belleville Police officials, the incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on October 25, when officers attempted to stop a dark-colored BMW displaying fictitious Connecticut license plates near Main and Mill streets.
Authorities said the driver ignored emergency lights and sirens, fleeing westbound on Mill Street into Branch Brook Park.
The vehicle eventually reached a section of roadway closed to traffic, where uniformed officers exited their patrol car in an attempt to apprehend the driver.
During the encounter, police said the BMW struck one officer, throwing him onto the hood of the vehicle. The officer discharged his department-issued firearm during the incident.
The injured officer was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver fled eastbound on Mill Street.
Following a multi-state investigation involving authorities in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, police identified the suspect as Damien Sulewski, 22, of New Britain, Connecticut.
Sulewski was apprehended early Monday morning, October 26, by Connecticut State Police.
Investigators later recovered the abandoned BMW in Katonah, New York.
Sulewski faces charges of aggravated assault, eluding and weapons-related offenses.
Belleville Police Chief Mark Minichini thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Britain Police Department, Connecticut State Police and other agencies for their coordinated efforts in locating the suspect.
The chief also expressed appreciation for the community’s support and concern for the injured officer.
The police-involved shooting remains under investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Belleville Police at 973-450-3333.