A Mount Vernon detective is recovering after he was hurt trying to restrain an armed suspect who refused to drop his weapon, according to police officials.
On Nov. 15, Detectives from the Mount Vernon Police Department Violent Crime Unit approached a group arguing near South 8th Avenue and West 2nd Street, when one police officer saw one of the men remove a gun from his jacket pocket. The detectives identified themselves and ordered the man, later identified as Omowale James, to drop the weapon.
Instead, the 23-year-old fled with the detectives in pursuit, police said. A uniformed Sergeant reported that the fleeing suspect was spotted running on East 3rd Street. A member of the Violent Crime Unit soon caught up with James and was able to tackle him. During the arrest, the unnamed Detective Sergeant suffered shoulder and rib injuries.
During the incident, the Detective Sergeant suffered injuries to his ribs and shoulder. He was treated at the hospital and released, and is expected to make a full recovery and return to duty shortly.
Arresting officers report recovering a loaded semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine from the jacket James was wearing. James was arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court and is being held in the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $40,000 cash bond.
