An off-duty police officer in New Jersey was shot Monday afternoon while attempting to stop an armed robbery at a convenience store, a high-level law enforcement source told News 4.
The officer was trying to stop a robbery in progress at Krauszer's Food Store in West Orange when the suspect allegedly fired one shot, according to the source and a public spokesperson. The incident unfolded shortly after 3 p.m. off S Valley Road.
The spokesperson said the bullet grazed the face of the officer, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was being treated at a local hospital. The officer is expected to recover.
The suspected gunman ran out of the store and drove off, police said. He was later caught when police tracked down a gray SUV at a Newark gas station off Bergen Street about an hour after the incident. Investigators were seen searching the vehicle before taking the man into custody.
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It was not immediately clear who the suspect was trying to rob when the officer intervened. Police have not released any further information regarding the suspect in custody, or what charges he may be facing.
The investigation is ongoing.
