The accused shoplifter was later caught in Newark by Kearny police, Kearny Mayor Al Santos said this afternoon.
A man suspected of shoplifting at the Walmart in Kearny today was shot by a police officer when he drove his vehicle at the officer while trying to flee, the town's mayor said this afternoon.
The accused shoplifter, Ramon Martinez, 43, of Newark, and a second man, Diego C. Dosreis, age 28, also of Newark, have been charged, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
Martinez is charged with eluding, receiving stolen property and shoplifting. Dosreis has been charged with receiving stolen property, Prosecutor's Office spokesman Ray Worrall said.
The Kearny police officer who shot Martinez was not injured, but he was evaluated at a local hospital, which is standard procedure when an officer fires his weapon, Kearny Mayor Al Santos said. The officer, who was not identified, is a veteran of the force, the mayor said.
Martinez was struck in "an extremity," the Prosecutor's Office said, and he is in stable condition at a local hospital.
Santos said the shooting appeared to be justified.
"The suspect is believed to have been a fleeing shoplifter and he threatened the officer with his vehicle," Santos said. "The officer had to respond. He shot at the suspect because he was threatened by the suspect's vehicle as he tried to get away from the police officer trying to apprehend him."
Santos said the officer fired multiple shots and at least one struck Martinez in the parking lot of the store on Harrison Avenue.
The incident is being reviewed, as is customary, by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, which did not provide any further details on the incident.
"When faced with an oncoming car, it seems to me it was an appropriate response," Santos said. "The incident is under review and if there are any questions, we will be looking at them."
Santos credited his detectives for tracking down the shoplifter and his alleged accomplice.
"The detective who were able to apprehend the suspect, their police work was outstanding," Santos said. "The suspect had fled after the shooting in the parking lot and the Kearny Detective Squad, based on information they collected at scene, were able to apprehend him later in Newark.
"It's important that the suspect was arrested ... (as) it is also a deterrent because you know there is an effective response and police officers will be on the scene promptly and an arrest will be made."