Wellesley Police arrest suspect who allegedly struck officer in stolen car

Police have arrested a male suspect on several charges, including assault and battery, after a Wellesley Police Officer was struck by a suspect in a motor vehicle while making an arrest.

Wellesley Police say the officer stopped a 2017 silver Nissan Altima on Worcester Street at Route 128 at 7:09 p.m. Saturday night.

When the officer ran the temporary license plate out of Texas, it revealed the car was stolen out of Delaware. The officer then pulled the driver over and tried to take him into custody.

That’s when Wellesley Police say a brief struggle ensued; the suspect got back into his car and started driving on Route 9, dragging the officer for about 15 feet until the officer was able to free himself.

A Wellesley Police officer told Boston 25 News the officer was recovering in the hospital with a possible arm/back injury after the suspect took off on Route 9. His injuries were considered to be non-life threatening. The officer has since been released and is now recovering at home, according to police.

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"The officers everyday put their life on the line," said Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki. "This is what the officer probably believed was a minor motor vehicle offense, and it turned into something that could’ve been a lot more serious.

"Thankfully the officer is doing ok, but they just don’t know what they’re going to encounter when they make that initial stop."

Police have identified the suspect in custody as 37-year-old Theodore William Newton of Newark, Delaware. Newton was arrested at approximately 12:50 a.m. in Sturbridge, nearly an hour's drive away from the original scene.

A Mass. State Police Trooper brought Newton into custody after pulling over a car that Newton was a passenger in overnight Sunday. At approximately 12:50 a.m. on Route 84, the Trooper pulled over a 2019 Kia Optima that Newton was traveling in along with two other people.

Newton told the Trooper that his name was Brendan, but law enforcement was able to identify him as the Wellesley suspect due to Newton's neck tattoo.

The suspect currently being held without bail by Wellesley Police and faces the following charges:

• Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
• Resisting Arrest
• Failure to Stop for a Police Officer While Operating a Motor Vehicle
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Personal Injury
• Malicious Destruction of Property Over $250
• Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License

Newton is set to appear in Dedham District Court on February 25.

Police say the officer was taken to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston after the ordeal, but has since been released and is home recovering.

The officer has been with the department for two years, according to police officials.

Newton was last seen wearing a black winter wool cap, with a black winter puffy jacket and dark colored jeans. He's described as a 5-foot-9 man with a thin build, closely-trimmed facial hair and brown eyes.

Police say Newton was wanted for various motor vehicle-related charges, in addition to the ones he was charged with stemming from Saturday's incident.

The investigation into the incident is active.

Cox Media Group