No injuries were reported after a police officer fired their weapon during a traffic stop in the Flatiron District connected to an ongoing robbery pattern investigation on Monday morning, law enforcement sources said.
One man involved in the traffic stop was apprehended with minor injuries after attempting to flee officers. Another suspect stopped during the incident remains at large.
Police sources said the trouble began at around 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 11, when police stopped a BMW in the area of West 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, within the confines of the 13th Precinct.
According to law enforcement sources, the BMW fit the description of a vehicle involved in a citywide robbery pattern that included two recent high-stakes heists in Chelsea, in which ritzy robbers swiped millions of dollars worth of jewelry.
But Monday’s car stop quickly devolved into chaos when the officer discharged their service weapon; no one was hit by the fired shot.
At this point, it’s unclear why the officer pulled the trigger, sources familiar with the ongoing investigation said.
Police said the two male suspects managed to flee the BMW on foot, and officers pursued them. Cops were able to capture one suspect, who reported suffered a minor head laceration and was treated. Charges against him are pending the results of the ongoing probe.
The other man inside the vehicle was able to elude police and flee the scene. He remains at large at this time.
Sources familiar with the investigation stated that officers at the scene recovered a firearm, allegedly belonging to the suspects, from inside the BMW.
Two officers involved in the shooting were treated for tinnitus at a local hospital and released, authorities said.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
