A Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured Tuesday morning when he was dragged by a vehicle driven by a suspect who was trying to get away.
The sheriff’s office says two deputies and Lt. Kevin Schoepfel pulled a suspect car over on Route 531 and Manitou Road after a shoplifting incident at the Brockport Walmart. The deputies and an Ogden police officer were removing the suspects from the car when the front seat passenger slid into the driver’s seat and attempted to take off with the car. Lt. Schoepfel tried to stop the car, and in the process was dragged for several feet. He suffered scrapes and bruises, plus a sprained knee and ankle.
Suspect Memzel Stewart of Rochester managed to drive away and abandoned the car near Elmgrove Road before fleeing into the woods. Deputies found Stewart and took him into custody a short time later. He turned out to be a parole absconder and is facing numerous charges including endangerment and assault.
The rear seat passenger, Michael Sweet, was charged with larceny.