Police arrest man accused of hitting bicycle officer with a vehicle

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police say they've arrested a 25-year-old suspect after a bicycle officer was hit with a vehicle Thursday night, May 17th on the city's south side.  The Milwaukee Police Department said the suspect had a warrant out for his arrest for intimidation of a witness.

Authorities say the hit-and-run crash occurred just after 10:30 p.m.Thursday near 17th Street and Greenfield Avenue.

Milwaukee police tell FOX6 News police were in Greenfield when they noticed a suspicious vehicle.  They had seen it earlier in the evening when it was double parked, but the driver drove off.  Police spotted the same vehicle parked at a curb a short time later.  Police say when the driver saw the officer approaching, he accelerated, struck the officer and drove off.

Authorities say the driver looked directly at one officer, who he could see through his windshield. The officer was thrown across the hood of the vehicle and then to the ground.

The Milwaukee Police Department says the 29-year-old officer sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released from the hospital. The 29-year-old is a six-year veteran of the police department assigned to District 2. 

An off duty officer from District 2 heard his fellow officer had been hit by a vehicle. So, he got the suspect description and spotted the suspect.

MPD says multiple bicycle officers assigned to bicycle patrol have been injured in the last 24 months. Last month, an officer was almost hit in a parking lot near 49th and Capitol. The targeted officer was able to get off his bike before the car crashed into him.  The driver sped off.