Chief Richard D. Howe
20 Westford Road
Tyngsborough, MA 01879
For Immediate Release
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Tyngsborough Police Cruiser Struck after Traffic Stop
TYNGSBOROUGH — Chief Richard D. Howe reports that a Tyngsborough Police officer was injured after his marked police cruiser was struck by a reversing suspect’s vehicle during a traffic stop.
A Tyngsborough Police officer conducted at traffic stop of a speeding BMW sedan on Pawtucket Boulevard at 5:53 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle pulled into a driveway, and as the officer stopped his cruiser behind the car, the vehicle suddenly reversed, striking the cruiser.
Officer Daniel Campbell, hurt from the impact of the crash and just two weeks out of the police academy, exited the vehicle and confronted the suspects at gunpoint as other police officers rushed to the scene to assist.
The driver, CAMILO CRUZ, AGE 27, OF NEWTON was arrested and charged with:
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Vehicle)
- Assault and Battery on a Police officer
- Malicious Destruction of Property
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
There were two other passengers inside the vehicle. One of the passengers was found to have multiple arrest warrants. JOSE REYES, AGE 49, OF ROXBURY was arrested and held on warrants out of Boston Municipal Court for larceny and Roxbury District Court for drug possession.
Officer Campbell was treated and released at a local hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The police cruiser, a 2018 Dodge Charger, was totaled in the crash.
Chief Howe praised the professionalism and restraint of Officer Campbell, who kept his composure during the incident.
“The rigorous and effective academy training programs were on full display this morning, but at the end of the day, it was Officer Campbell himself, with less than a month as a full-time officer, who remained calm and used restraint in the face of an imminent threat,” Chief Howe said. “As a result, a dangerous incident was resolved without further escalation.”
Both suspects are being held pending arraignment Monday in Lowell District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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