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Bridgeport Police: Robbery Suspect Shoots Himself While Resisting Arrest

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — An armed robbery suspect shot himself in the leg while struggling to avoid being arrested in Bridgeport on Monday night, according to police.

Steven Nieves

Steven Nieves

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Police said that just before 9 p.m. the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Steven Nieves, entered a store at 375 Capitol Ave., where he displayed a gun and ordered the store clerk to turn over money. The clerk complied and Nieves fled on foot with the cash, police said.

Officers were dispatched to the scene and began canvassing the area. Sgt. James Geremia located Nieves on Main Street near Charles Street, and a physical altercation took place, police said.

Nieves resisted arrest and assaulted Geremia, according to police. During the struggle, he reached for a small handgun that was in his pants pocket and the weapon discharged, police said. Nieves was struck by a single bullet in his leg, according to police.

Geremia was able to call for assistance, and Nieves was taken into custody, police said. Both of the were taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center for treatment. 

Geremia was treated and released with minor injuries, and Nieves was treated and released to police custody, police said.

Nieves was charged with first-degree robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, assault on a police officer, reckless endangerment, threatening and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held on $250,000 bond.

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