By Frank Juliano
Connecticut Post
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Police say the suspect in an armed robbery Monday night accidentally shot himself in the leg when he struggled with a police sergeant taking him into custody.
Steven Nieves, 31, entered the business at 375 Capitol Avenue shortly before 9 p.m., displayed a firearm and ordered the clerk to hand over money, Capt. Brian Fitzgerald said. The clerk complied and Nieves fled on foot with the cash, he said.
City land records indicate that Mike’s Grocery is the store at 375 Capitol Avenue.
Officers dispatched to the scene began canvassing the area and Sergeant James Geremia located the suspect on Main Street near Charles Street, Fitzgerald said.
“A physical altercation occurred and the perpetrator... resisted arrest and assaulted the sergeant,’’ the police spokesman said. “During the struggle, Nieves reached for a small handgun that was in his pants pocket and the weapon discharged. Nieves was struck by a single bullet and sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.’’
Geremia was able to call for backup and Nieves was taken into custody. Both Nieves and Geremia were transported to St. Vincent‘s Medical Center for treatment, Fitzgerald said.
Geremia was treated for minor injuries and released, and Nieves was also treated and released to police custody.
The suspect is being held on a $250,000 bond on charges of first-degree robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, assault on a police officer, reckless endangerment, threatening and carrying a pistol without a permit.
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©2017 the Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.)