NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- A North Kingstown man is accused of shooting a town police officer with the officer's service weapon and stealing his cruiser.
Police Chief Edward Charboneau said the officer had gone to the Wasp Road home of 29-year-old David Catalano at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday to notify Catalano that East Greenwich police had traced his plates to a fatal hit-and-run earlier in the day.
"As he went to leave, he was attacked by the suspect, wrestled with the suspect. The officer lost possession of his weapon," Charboneau said.
Charboneau said the officer was shot once or twice, but that he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. The officer, whose name has not been released, is recovering at Rhode Island Hospital.
The officer has been with the North Kingstown Police Department for about 7-and-a-half years, Charboneau said.
Related Video: North Kingstown Police News Conference
Charboneau said Catalano initially got into his own truck and circled the cul-de-sac once or twice before getting out and stealing the officer's cruiser. The wounded officer ran after Catalano until he collapsed.
East Greenwich police caught Catalano without incident near Essex and Post roads. Investigators found the officer's service gun on the center console.
Catalano is expected to be arraigned Monday. Charboneau said Catalano has been on suspended probation for disorderly conduct.
A law enforcement source told NBC 10 News that Catalano apparently struck a man who was putting air in his tire. Reportedly that man later died of his injuries.
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