Conn. Officer Seriously Injured in Fall From Bridge

May 17--STAMFORD -- A Stamford patrol officer was critically injured while chasing a robbery suspect over a bridge abutment by I-95 early Thursday, police said.

The officer fell about 20 feet. He was taken to an area hospital where is undergoing surgery.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to the Norwalk Police Department and the medical staff currently attending to our injured officer," said Assistant Police Chief Jim Mathen in a press release. "Please keep him and his family in your thoughts."

The suspect, Frank O. Douglas, 30, assaulted and choked a police dog. He was taken into custody after a struggle, police said.

He is charged with second-degree robbery, assault on a police officer, cruelty to animals, interfering with police, engaging in pursuit and multiple motor vehicle charges.

His bond was set at $500,000.

The chase started around 1:05 a.m. after a passerby reported that two men were beating a robbing another man near the intersection of West Main Street and Diaz Street. The caller said the two men stole the victim's wallet and got into a white BMW.

Police cars converged on the area. Officers found the victim, who needed medical attention and was unable to give police details about the attack, police said.

As officers escorted the ambulance with the victim to Stamford Hospital, they saw a white BMW that fit the description of the suspect vehicle traveling on West Main Street. The BMW attempted to elude officers by pulling into a lot behind an apartment building.

Officer found the BMW and a car chase through the streets of Stamford followed, police said.

The chase continued onto I-95 East. The BMW took Exit 9 and drove over stop spikes deployed by police. Despite damage to two tires, the BMW continued driving on Post Road through Darien, entered I-95 and exited in Norwalk where it crashed.

One of the suspects ran from the crashed BMW. A 36-year-old patrol officer followed, running north across the Reed Street bridge over I-95. The suspect jumped into a wooded area at the end of the bridge, near an abutment on the westbound side of the highway.

The suspect made it down the 20-foot drop and ran across all six lanes of the highway. The officer who was running at full speed, encountered some undergrowth and was unable to see the edge of the abutment, police said.

He fell off the edge and landed face down, police said. Stamford and Norwalk police officers found him and he was immediately taken to a local hospital.

The suspect was confronted by officers from Norwalk and Stamford when he reached the other side of the highway. He assaulted and choked a Stamford Police canine. He was arrested after a struggle.

The suspect was transported to Stamford Hospital for minor injuries and is currently being held at the Stamford Police Department.

Police are seeking the public's help. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 203-977-4417. Calls will remain confidential.

Copyright 2012 - The Hartford Courant, Conn.