In Big Flats, New York, a deputy is in critical condition after being thrown from the hood of a car allegedly involved in a retail theft from Target. On March 29, the New York State Police, along with the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, were conducting a retail theft operation in collaboration with Target loss prevention at a store in Chemung County. Target’s loss prevention team witnessed a black male loading a TV and other items into a shopping cart and attempting to leave without paying. When confronted by the store’s personnel, the suspect abandoned the items and headed towards a waiting 2016 black Chevy Impala.
An investigator from the NYSP and Chemung County Sheriff’s Deputy Theetge pursued the suspect on foot, with Theetge attempting to apprehend him as he slid across the hood of the car. However, the driver accelerated, causing both the suspect and Theetge to be thrown from the hood onto the ground. The suspect fled but was eventually captured, while the Chevy Impala was left near the vicinity of the store.
The NYSP investigator sustained a minor leg injury and was treated and released from Guthrie Corning Hospital. Deputy Theetge suffered a severe head injury and was first taken to Guthrie Corning Hospital before being airlifted to Guthrie Robert Packet Hospital in Pennsylvania.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Dominick Haley of Ithaca, was apprehended, charged with assault on a police officer, assault in the second degree, petit larceny, and resisting arrest. He was held at the Town of Big Flats Court on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. The next day, the driver of the Chevy Impala, 24-year-old Fatiuna Massaline, was arrested by Ithaca Police, NYSP, and the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office. Massaline faced charges of assault on a police officer and reckless endangerment, and was remanded to the Chemung County Jail with bail set at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond.
Deputy Theetge remains in critical condition at this time.