David Owens
The Hartford Courant
COLUMBIA, Conn. — A man who pointed a gun at a state trooper during an incident outside the Hop River Motel in Columbia two years ago pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted assault on a police officer.
Jay D. Olsen, 55, has a criminal record in Connecticut and New Mexico, prosecutors said. At the time of the shooting, police identified Olsen as Jay Olson.
State police from the Colchester barracks were called to the Hop River Motel on April 4, 2017, to investigate a vehicle that was reported stolen from New Mexico. Troopers checked with motel management, who said the person driving the car was in a particular room, authorities said.
When troopers went to that room, the occupant refused to answer. A trooper then walked around to the back of the motel and found a man, later identified as Olsen, climbing out a window and then running off, according to statements made in court Tuesday.
Trooper Carly Topulos called out to the man to stop. Instead, he turned and pointed a gun at Topulos. She fired at the man, striking him in the left shoulder, authorities said.
Topulos and her partner then ran at Olsen and tackled him to the ground.
Olsen’s trial on charges of attempted assault on a police officer, attempted first-degree assault, stealing a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm and resisting arrest was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Superior Court in Rockville.
But before the first juror was selected, Olsen opted to accept a plea offer from prosecutor Jennifer Cooper, and he pleaded guilty to attempted assault on a police officer, theft of a firearm and third-degree larceny. He was then sentenced to nine years in prison as part of the deal.
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