NYPD: CT man threw chemicals, Molotov cocktail at officers

A driver from Bridgeport who ran a red light in New York City Saturday morning threw a chemical liquid at a New York Police Department officer, drove away and then tossed a flaming Molotov cocktail as officers pursued him, authorities said.

Body camera footage shows the driver tossing a liquid that was later identified as bleach at an officer who had pulled him over in Brooklyn, according to authorities.

Detective Denise Moroney, a NYPD spokesperson, said that the man fled the scene in his vehicle. Responding officers in a patrol car observed the man’s vehicle in the vicinity of the 5500 block of Snyder Ave. and pulled up behind him.

Moroney said the man stopped the car, stepped out and threw a Molotov at the police vehicle that bounced off the windshield and shattered on the street. He got back in his vehicle and continued westbound on Snyder Avenue. Authorties said the man soon crashed into a parked vehicle nearby on Snyder Avenue.

In a tweet Saturday, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “This is another reminder of how quickly a situation can change, & the dangers your cops face every day while they’re protecting NYers. Even after arrest, the investigation into this attack remains active.”

Authorities said that more Molotov cocktails were found in the vehicle after the man was taken into custody.

Moroney said the injured officer was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries to his face and blurred vision.

The suspect faces federal charges, according to Moroney. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York declined to comment Sunday. Charges documents for the suspect were not publicly available on Sunday.

Authorities have yet to publicly say what motivated the incidents. The investigation is active and ongoing, according to NYPD.