One police officer had to jump over the hood of his cruiser to avoid being struck by a stolen pickup truck early Monday morning.
Two people face charges after nearly running down two Manchester Police patrol officers with a stolen pick-up truck on Hanover Street early Monday morning.
Police arrested James Marcoux, 22, of Manchester, who was driving the truck, and his passenger, Heather Kowack, 28, both of Manchester, following the Sept. 29 incident.
According to a police narrative, patrol officers Robert Bifsha and Kevin O’Meara were stopped in front of 401 Hanover Street at 12:25 a.m., when they noticed a Dodge Ram pick-up truck traveling at a high rate of speed east on Hanover Street, heading toward them as they stood by their marked patrol cruisers.
As the truck approached, the officers realized they were in harm’s way and Officer O’Meara actually jumped over the hood of his police cruiser to avoid being struck by the truck. Officer Bifsha immediately entered his patrol car and attempted to stop the truck, operated by Marcoux.
Bifsha followed the truck as it turned on to Hall and Manchester streets. Once on Manchester Street, the Bifsha saw Kowack exit the truck.
As she exited the vehicle, he noticed both the driver’s side and passenger side door remained ajar as the truck backed up toward the marked police cruiser. The truck would have struck the front end of the cruiser if the officer did not immediately place his car into reverse and move it from the path of the truck.
Marcoux then fled the scene on foot and allegedly left the vehicle in reverse as he ran from the area. He was located a short time later in the area of Hanover and Hubbard streets. The arresting officer also located a small bag of marijuana on Marcoux.
He was charged with: possession of stolen property; conduct after an accident; possession of a controlled drug; driving after suspension/revocation. He appeared in court Monday morning
Kowack was also charged with resisting arrest/detention.