Unbelievable police dashcam footage captures moment Arizona cop mounts sidewalk and SMASHES into armed suspect, sending him flying into the air 

  • Footage shows Mario Valencia walking along a street in Marana, Arizona
  • Alleged robber points item that appears to be rifle into air; shot rings out
  • Seconds later, Officer Michael Rapiejko starts speeding toward Valencia
  • His police car mounts the sidewalk, before crashing into armed suspect
  • Valencia taken to hospital with serious injuries; released two days later
  • Police chief has defended officer's actions, which saved 'Valencia's life'
  • Suspect had allegedly stolen rifle from Walmart and threatened suicide
  • Comes as US police remain under scrutiny for alleged racially profiling 

By Sophie Jane Evans For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:19 EST, 14 April 2015 | Updated: 02:49 EST, 15 April 2015

Shocking police dashcam footage has emerged showing an Arizona cop speeding down a road, mounting a sidewalk and smashing into an alleged armed robber in a supposed bid to capture him.

In the two videos, Mario Valencia is captured walking along a street in Marana, northwest of Tucson, carrying what appears to be a rifle. He points the loaded weapon into the air and a shot rings out.

A police officer in one of the patrol cars says: 'One round just went out. He's definitely loaded.' He then tells his colleague, Officer Michael Rapiejko, in the other vehicle: 'Stand off, the gun is loaded.'

But apparently ignoring his advice, Rapiejko overtakes the officer's car, before speeding straight toward Valencia. Seconds later, his vehicle mounts the curb and smashes into the suspect's body.

WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE

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Overtaking: This police dashcam video shows Arizona officer Michael Rapiejko overtaking his colleague's vehicle as they chase alleged thief Mario Valencia (hidden by the other car) in Marana, northwest of Tucson

Overtaking: This police dashcam video shows Arizona officer Michael Rapiejko overtaking his colleague's vehicle as they chase alleged thief Mario Valencia (hidden by the other car) in Marana, northwest of Tucson

Target: The police officer in the other vehicle warns Rapiejko that the suspect is loaded and tells him to 'stand off'. But in apparent defiance of his advice, Rapiejo drives straight toward unsuspecting Valencia (pictured)

Target: The police officer in the other vehicle warns Rapiejko that the suspect is loaded and tells him to 'stand off'. But in apparent defiance of his advice, Rapiejo drives straight toward unsuspecting Valencia (pictured)

Horrific: Seconds later, Rapiejo's vehicle mounts the curb (pictured) and smashes into the suspect's body

Horrific: Seconds later, Rapiejo's vehicle mounts the curb (pictured) and smashes into the suspect's body

Hit: In this screen grab, from the dashcam video, Valenica appears to turn toward the car as it strikes him

Hit: In this screen grab, from the dashcam video, Valenica appears to turn toward the car as it strikes him

Valencia is sent flying into the air, while the car crashes through a concrete wall before coming to a halt amid debris. The other officer can be heard shouting in shock: 'Oh! Jesus Christ, man down.'

At the end of the footage, obtained by CBS affiliate KOLD-TV, Rapiejko is captured emerging from his vehicle and approaching Valencia, while other cops exit their own cars with their guns raised.

Valencia was rushed to University of Arizona Medical Center in serious condition following the crash outside a self storage facility on February 19. He was eventually booked into jail two days later.

The release of the dashcam videos comes as police across America remain under scrutiny for allegedly racially profiling African-American suspects and using excessive violence against them.

Only a week and a half ago, South Carolina police officer Michael Slager was charged with murder after he allegedly fatally shot Water Scott, 50, five times in the back as he was running away

Despite Valencia's injuries and the harrowing footage of the crash, Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema has defended Rapiejko's actions, declaring they likely saved the armed suspect's life.

Smash: Valencia is sent flying into the air, while the car crashes through a concrete wall (pictured) before coming to a halt amid debris. The other cop can be heard shouting in shock: 'Oh! Jesus Christ, man down'

Smash: Valencia is sent flying into the air, while the car crashes through a concrete wall (pictured) before coming to a halt amid debris. The other cop can be heard shouting in shock: 'Oh! Jesus Christ, man down'

High-speed: Bits of concrete can be seen sailing through the sky as Rapiejko's patrol car continues traveling

High-speed: Bits of concrete can be seen sailing through the sky as Rapiejko's patrol car continues traveling

Cracked: Valencia, was rushed to University of Arizona Medical Center in a serious condition following the crash outside a self storage facility on February 19. Above, Rapiejko's car window appears to be cracked

Cracked: Valencia, was rushed to University of Arizona Medical Center in a serious condition following the crash outside a self storage facility on February 19. Above, Rapiejko's car window appears to be cracked

Valencia remained in hospital for two days before being booked into jail. Above, he is seen in his mug shot
Police have since spoken out in defense of Rapiejko's actions in the town of Marana, Arizona

Deliberate act: Valencia (pictured, left, in his mug shot) remained in hospital for two days before being booked into jail. Police have since spoken out in defense of Rapiejko's actions in the town of Marana, Arizona

In February, Sergeant Chris Warren also appeared to support the deliberate crash, telling KOLD-TV that Valencia 'was a dangerous felon who'd been on a crime spree throughout the morning'.

This crime spree allegedly involved theft at a convenience store at Columbus Avenue and 29th Street, vandalism and burglary at the Tucson Baptist Temple, a home invasion and theft of a car.

It culminated in the alleged theft of a rifle from Walmart at 8280 North Cortaro Road. From there, the suspect fled to 5650 West Coca Cola Place, where he was struck and injured by Rapiejko's vehicle.

'He'd just stolen a weapon, loaded it, was not obeying commands from officers and walking toward occupied businesses .It's a busy time of morning, a lot of employees at work,' said Sgt Warren.  

Another view: Despite the shocking footage of the crash, Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema has defended Officer Rapiejko's actions. Above, this dashcam video was taken from inside the other officer's car

Swerving: The second video shows Rapiejko's car swerving across the road and heading toward Valencia

Life-saving? The vehicle smashes into the suspect (the black shape in the air, between the tree and the car)

Apprehended: At the end of the footage, obtained by CBS affiliate KOLD-TV, Rapiejko can be seen emerging from his vehicle and approaching Valencia (under the tree), while other cops emerge with their guns raised

'We had to take immediate action and make sure he didn't get inside those businesses.' Rapiejko was put on standard administrative leave after the crash, because it was considered use of force.

However, the Pima County Attorney's Office cleared the officer of any wrongdoing and he is back on the force, Sgt Warren said. Valencia, meanwhile, is facing several felony charges for his 'spree'. 

Valencia had already been approached by police near a post office following the alleged Walmart theft, it is reported. There, he had apparently threatened suicide, before firing the gun and fleeing.

No one was injured in the post office incident. Also on Tuesday, dozens of protesters were taking to the streets of New York to continue demonstrations over alleged police brutality against minorities. 

Controversy: The release of the dashcam videos comes as police across America remain under scrutiny for allegedly racially profiling African-American suspects. Above, protesters in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday

Controversy: The release of the dashcam videos comes as police across America remain under scrutiny for allegedly racially profiling African-American suspects. Above, protesters in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday

Demonstrating: The protests have been a regular occurrence in many US cities since last August, when unarmed, black 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri

Demonstrating: The protests have been a regular occurrence in many US cities since last August, when unarmed, black 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri

Removed: Some demonstrators were escorted off the Brooklyn Bridge roadway by NYPD officers on Tuesday

Removed: Some demonstrators were escorted off the Brooklyn Bridge roadway by NYPD officers on Tuesday

The protests have been a regular occurrence in many US cities since last August, when unarmed, black 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri.

In November, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson in the fatal shooting, while another grand jury chose not to indict another officer in the death of black father-of-four Eric Garner on Staten Island.

On Tuesday, some protesters were seen scuffling with police during a march in Manhattan. Others, meanwhile, were pictured being escorted off the Brooklyn Bridge roadway by NYPD officers.

 

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