The cop seen in dramatic dash cam video ramming his police cruiser into an armed suspect in an Arizona suburb is a former NYPD officer, officials say.
Footage released Tuesday by the Marana Police Department shows officer Michael Rapiejko ramming his car into 36-year-old Mario Valencia after the suspect allegedly fired a stolen gun into the air on Feb. 19. Valencia, who survived being hit, can be seen flipping into the air as the cruiser flies into him and crashes into a wall.
Rapiejko was an officer with the NYPD before moving to Arizona, officials with the department say. He was put on administrative leave for three days after the crash, but returned to duty after being cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the prosecutor's office. He is currently under administrative review.
Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema told NBC affiliate KVOA that Rapiejko likely saved lives with the gambit.
"The guy probably is still alive because the officer took the action that he took," Rozema told the station. "Had he continued to press down the street ... these officers have no choice but to begin firing."
Valencia was hospitalized for two days following the crash, but now faces several felony counts, including assault on a police officer.
His attorney, Michelle Metzger, told NBC News the tactic was "shocking" and "clearly excessive police force."
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The release of the video comes amid heightened tension nationwide over the use of force by police forces.
Marana police Sgt. Chris Warren said Valencia robbed a convenience store in nearby Tucson, broke into a church, invaded a home and stole a car. Valencia drove the stolen car to Marana, just north of Tucson, where he stole a rifle from a Wal-Mart.
Video from two different police cruisers shows Valencia walking down a busy business corridor with a rifle in his hands. At one point, Valencia points the rifle at himself and threatens to kill himself.
One of the dash cam videos shows an officer slowly driving behind Valencia as he shoots the rifle in the air. That officer tells others to stay back because the suspect is armed.
But within seconds, a different officer drives his patrol car at high speed and rams into Valencia, sending him flying into the air. Officers with guns drawn quickly swarm the scene.
