A Fairfield police officer was struck and knocked down by a moped during an attempted stop on Sept. 17 on Brentwood Avenue but helped detain both riders before receiving medical treatment. The officer sustained multiple lacerations and was taken to a nearby hospital. Police identified the suspects as Marquis Craig, 28, and Jayvion Baker-Coleman, 20; the moped was reported stolen from Stratford and four bags of alleged stolen property were recovered and returned. Craig faces multiple charges and is held on $100,000 bond; Baker-Coleman faces larceny-related charges, had active warrants and is held on $40,000 bond.
Fairfield Officer Knocked Down by Moped Keeps Helping With Arrest After Collision, Police Say
Photo Fairfield Police Departmen
A Fairfield, Connecticut, police officer was knocked to the pavement when a moped carrying two men struck him head-on during an attempted stop on Sept. 17, authorities said. Video released by the Fairfield Police Department shows the small motorbike swerving around a stopped vehicle on Brentwood Avenue moments before colliding with the officer.
Officers responded to Brentwood Avenue at about 6:40 p.m. after a caller reported seeing two people repeatedly enter a residence and remove items. While checking the area, officers located two individuals matching the description riding a moped. An officer on foot ordered the operator to stop; instead, the moped swerved around a stopped car and accelerated toward the officer, police said.
The video captures the officer stepping into the roadway as the moped approaches. The front of the moped struck him, sending the officer and both riders to the ground. Despite suffering multiple lacerations and significant bleeding, the officer remained on scene and assisted in taking both men into custody before being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police identified the suspects as 28-year-old Marquis Craig and 20-year-old Jayvion Baker-Coleman, both of Bridgeport. The moped had been reported stolen out of Stratford. Officers also recovered four bags containing property they say had been taken from the Brentwood Avenue residence; those items were returned to the homeowner.
Charges and Court Date
Craig faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass, sixth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, assault of a police officer and interfering with an officer. He was held on $100,000 bond.
Baker-Coleman was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. Police said he also had three active warrants out of Stamford and was held on a total bond of $40,000. Both men were scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Oct. 1 on the Fairfield charges.
"This officer was hurt doing his job, responding to a call of two individuals on someone's property removing items," Chief Michael Paris said. "Despite being struck and injured while attempting to apprehend them, he continued to assist in taking both individuals into custody."
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Why The Term "Moped" Can Be Confusing
The report also notes that state laws vary on how small motorized two-wheelers are classified. Historically, "moped" combined "motor" and "pedal," but the term has broadened; some states classify these vehicles by engine size, power or top speed, while others retain a pedal-based definition. Connecticut typically uses the label "motor-driven cycle" for certain small motorcycles, scooters and motorized bicycles, based on factors like motor output and seat height rather than whether pedals are present.
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