An Atlantic City K-9 officer and his partner were struck by a teen who fled arrest in a stolen vehicle, police said.
Detectives Christopher Dodson, Alberto Valles, and Eric Evans spotted a Ford Fusion just after 9 Tuesday night, Lt. Kevin Fair said.
The vehicle previously fled an attempted stop and had not been found, according to the report.
The detectives stopped the vehicle at New Jersey and Baltic avenues, with help from K-9 Officer Anthony Grajales-Prado and his partner, Chase.
Najaye Cooper-Albright, the passenger, got out of the vehicle and tried to run, but was quickly caught by Dodson, Fair said.
He was arrested after some resistance, Fair said.
But the driver ignored officers’ commands and accelerated toward Grajales-Prado and K-9 Chase, according to the report. Grajales-Prado was struck and ended up on the hood before being thrown off, Fair said. Chase was also struck by the vehicle. Both sustained minor injuries.
Grajales-Prado was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus and was later released.
The driver, 18-year-old Kashaun Carpenter, was found on U.S. Route 42 and arrested by State Police from Atlantic City Expressway Station.
Carpenter was charged attempted murder, four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of assault by auto, eluding and hindering apprehension.
The Atlantic City man is jailed.
Cooper-Albright, also 18 of Atlantic City, was charged with obstruction of justice, unlawful taking of means of conveyance, and resisting arrest.
He was released on a summons with a future court date.
NOTE: The Atlantic City Justice Facility does not release mug shots under an order by the former county prosecutor.
