New York: Bethlehem Police officer struck by vehicle after pursuing suspect

A Bethlehem Police officer was struck by a vehicle Saturday, July 7, 2018. It happened at around 2:00 pm in the parking lot of the Glenmont Walmart. The officer was at the scene taking a report for a property damage crash.

Shortly afterwards, he noticed a Walmart loss prevention officer attempting to apprehend a woman that was said to have been shoplifting from the store in an unrelated incident.

The officer approached the suspect as she got into her vehicle. The officer made an effort to stop the suspect but she drove forward striking him. He was still able to approach the driver side of the vehicle and convince the suspect to stop. She was taken into custody in the parking lot.

Police have arrested 58-year-old Wendy M. Downey of Castelton. A preliminary hearing in Bethlehem Court has been set for Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 5:00 pm.