Authorities in Arizona have released video footage of a police cruiser striking a suspect who had reportedly committed a string of crimes.
According to ABC News, video captured from two separate dashboard cameras show a Marana Police Department driving onto the sidewalk and colliding with Mario Valencia back in February. Valencia, who armed at the time, was allegedly in the midst of a crime spree which included arson at a church, the robbery of a 7-Eleven, auto theft, and home invasion. What's more, police in Marana say he stole a rifle and ammunition from a Walmart, discharging the weapon in public prior to when the video starts:
In the dashcam video, a gunshot is heard as Valencia is seen walking down the street in Marana, about 30 miles north of Tucson.
An officer is heard saying, One round just went out into the sky. It's definitely unlocked now, it's definitely loaded.
Stand off, the gun is loaded, an officer warns.
An officer then drives off the road and into Valencia, in a shocking collision captured on two cruisers' cameras.
Valencia was taken into custody on charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and armed robbery. Marana police told ABC News that the collision placed him in the hospital for two days. Furthermore, Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema justified Officer Michael Rapiejko actions, saying that, while Valencia did not open fire at anyone, the rifle was pointed at an officer at one point.
Michelle Cohen Metzger, Valencia's attorney, called Rapiejko's actions an "obvious excessive use of force." However, county attorneys cleared him of any wrongdoing, and he was permitted to return to duty a few days after the incident.
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Shocking Video of Arizona Police Cruiser Striking Suspect Released from Complex.
