State Troopers Intercept Bank Robbery Suspect;
Police Shooting
Today, March 3, 2008, at approximately 10:40 a.m. a bank robbery was reported in West Hartford. The description of the suspect and the suspect vehicle was broadcasted to all police agencies. The suspect and suspect vehicle was reported by the West Hartford Police as a wanted person for felony offenses.
At approximately 11:05 a.m. a State Trooper on patrol, in the Newington area, observed the suspect vehicle involved in the bank robbery. The Trooper followed the vehicle, attempted to stop it and the suspect engaged the Trooper in a pursuit. During the pursuit the suspect did struck a civilian car on Fairfield and White St. in Hartford causing damage and minor injury.
The suspect continued on Broad Street and a second Trooper came onto Broad St. from the opposite direction in an attempt to intercept and box in the suspect car. Both troopers successfully stopped the suspect car but the suspect exited the car and fled on foot with both Troopers in foot pursuit. The suspect ran down Broad St. to elude capture. The suspect suddenly turned toward the troopers and advanced towards them in the threatening manner brandishing a knife. The Troopers ordered the suspect stop and drop the knife. The suspect refused and continued to advance causing the troopers to fire their service weapons striking the suspect. The suspect was treated at the scene and transported to Hartford Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The area was secured as a crime scene and the State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad was summoned to respond to conduct the investigation into this police shooting. They will be assisted by the Hartford State’s Attorney Office.
The deceased male is identified as JOSEPH H. BAK DOB: 12/19/84 LKA 54 N. Main St. West Hartford, Ct. The office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner has scheduled a post mortem examination of the deceased to identify the manner and cause of death.
The two State Troopers involved in this police shooting are identified as:
Trooper First Class Steven Orlowski who is a 14-year veteran of the State Police Department and Trooper First Class Chick Bistany who is a 10-year veteran of the State Police Department. There wereno injuries sustained by any police personnel.
Both State Troopers have been assigned to administrative duties pending the completion of this investigation which is State Police Department Policy.
The investigation is continuing.
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LT. J. Paul Vance
