Crime & Safety
Arizona Police Officer Who Drove Into Suspect is From New Jersey
Michael Rapiejko grew up in Montgomery and attended the Mercer Police Academy
An Arizona police officer who drove his car into an armed suspect, grew up in New Jersey and attended Mercer Police Academy, according to nj.com
Michael Rapiejko, who is a Marana officer, reportedly grew up in the Skillman section of Montgomery and was a police officer in New York City before moving to Arizona.
A video released Tuesday from two separate dashboard cameras and obtained by KVOA in Tucson, shows Rapiejko driving his cruiser at a high rate of speed into Mario Valencia, who was seen earlier in the video shooting an alleged stolen rifle in the air, on Feb. 19.
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According to CNN, the police department is defending Rapiejko’s actions, believing he saved lives, including the suspect’s life. According to the report Valencia was walking toward a more populated area.
An attorney for the suspect disagrees with the police, and believes it is a case of excessive force.
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