[Updated, May 17, 11:20 a.m.] A shoplifting suspect who assaulted a West Hartford Police officer was apprehended Wednesday night and faces multiple charges.

By Ronni Newton

Update, May 17, 11:20 a.m.

The West Hartford Police officer injured in an assault by shoplifting suspect Wednesday night has been released from the hospital, and “is sore and resting comfortably at home,” Capt. Michael Perruccio said in an email Thursday morning.

Police are not releasing the name or the gender of the injured officer, he said.

The suspect, Donald Anderson, has also been released from the hospital and has now been officially charged with second-degree assault, assault of a police officer, interfering with police, sixth-degree larceny, and first-degree robbery.

He is being held on $250,000 bond.

Original Story

A West Hartford Police officer is being treated at a local hospital Wednesday night for injuries sustained in a scuffle with a shoplifting suspect.

According to police, officers responded to a report of a shoplifting at Walgreens at 324 North Main St. in Bishops Corner at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday.

The suspect had fled, police said, but witnesses provided a description.

An officer located a man matching the description of the shoplifting suspect at Albany Avenue and Sioux Lane. Police said the suspect attempted to run away, so the officer grabbed his arm. The suspect then swung a heavy bag he was carrying, striking the officer in the head.

Police said the suspect then escaped, fleeing through the backyards of Sioux Lane, while being pursued by the officer. The suspect then turned on the officer in a “fighting position,” striking the officer again, police said.

The suspect resisted the officer’s attempt to restrain him and forced the officer to the ground, police said. According to the police report, “the suspect was on top of the officer and began punching the officer in the head numerous times.”

The officer kicked the suspect off, police said, and he attempted to flee but the officer was able to get him to the ground where he was successfully restrained with the assistance of other officers.

The injured officer was taken to a local hospital and is being treated for head trauma.

The suspect, who has been identified as Donald Anderson, 48, was also taken to a local hospital for evaluation. When he is released, police said he will be charged with second-degree assault, assault of a police officer, interfering with police, and sixth-degree larceny. His bond will be set at $250,000, police said.

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